Dutch expect to sustain gas exports to Germany if Russia cuts flows
14/07/2022 10:48
AMSTERDAM, July 14 (Reuters) - The Netherlands expects to be
able to sustain its supply of natural gas to Germany in the
coming winter even if Russia cuts off all its supply to Europe,
gas transport company GTS said on Thursday.
Exports to Germany could be maintained around the current
level of 35 billion cubic metres (bcm) in the year from Oct. 1,
GTS said, which is the maximum amount the German gas network can
transit from west to east.
Dutch gas exports to Germany have already risen to their
maximum level this year, up from a normal level of around 11
bcm.
The prediction for next year assumes average winter
temperatures and of the full implementation of measures aimed at
reducing dependence on Russian gas.
A very cold winter or a lower than expected supply of
liquefied natural gas (LNG) could lead to a worse outcome, GTS
said.
The Netherlands aims to fill its gas storage to 80% before
the winter, up from a current level of around 55%, and to double
the import of LNG to around 24 bcm this year.
These measures are expected to be enough to guarantee the
supply of gas to Dutch companies and households throughout the
winter, also if Russian flows are cut, the gas firm said.
Energy minister Rob Jetten last week said energy savings in
the first six months of the year had already cut gas usage in
the Netherlands by a third, enough to replace the Russian share
of Dutch gas, which was 15%-20% of imports in recent years.
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(Reporting by Bart Meijer
Editing by Peter Graff)
((Bart.Meijer@thomsonreuters.com; +31 20 504 5006; Reuters
Messaging: bart.meijer@thomsonreuters.com))