The Ukraine war is having an enormous impact on Europe. Austria currently has enough gas reserves for this winter, but what happens afterwards?
Europe takes the threat posed by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine very seriously, emphasized Chancellor Karl Nehammer in “ZiB2”. As far as the gas supply is concerned, the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, has pledged to make alternative providers available if there are no more gas deliveries from Russia.
Read more: Ukraine War – Russians capture Kiev suburb
According to the Ministry of Energy, Austria currently has enough gas reserves to survive the winter. For the coming winter, however, a “storage law for gas” must be introduced, according to Nehammer.
Gas storage in Austria only 18 percent full
The conflict will also further fuel prices. About 80 percent of the gas that we need for cooking and heating in Austria comes from Russia. The storage facilities in Austria are 18 percent full, reports the APA. In the next few weeks, when it’s still cold, that won’t be a problem, officials assure.
The revenue is also important for Russia, which is why experts say it is unlikely that Russia will turn off the gas tap completely.
In view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has now begun, concerns about the energy supply are also increasing in this country. Christian Call from Wiener Netze calmed down in conversation “Today”: The conflict has so far had no impact on gas supplies, the pipelines would continue to supply supplies.
Nehammer: “No apartment will be cold”
Around 420,000 households, more than half of all households in Vienna, cook and heat with natural gas. 75 percent of the gas comes from Russia.
Karl Nehammer also assured the National Council on Thursday that there would be enough gas in Austria by April to cover Austria’s energy needs: “No apartment will be cold.”
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The chancellor said self-critically that one had to ask oneself “whether it was so smart” to rely on Russian gas. Should Putin turn on the gas tap, the EU will ensure that Austria can fall back on alternative supplies.
