Gas supply crisis fears grow as Germany triggers ‘early warning’

First step under emergency gas plan activated as Germany prepares for potential cut-off over refusal to make payments in roubles

Germany has taken the first official step towards gas rationing under its emergency plan as fears grow over a potential stop in Russian deliveries amid a standoff over payments in roubles.

Qazet.az reports that the move on Wednesday by the European Union’s industrial powerhouse was the clearest sign yet the bloc was preparing for supply issues after rolling out far-reaching sanctions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine five weeks ago.

“A crisis room will now be established in the ministry,” economy minister Robert Habeck told reporters in Berlin, adding that the team will be comprised of members from the economics ministry, the country’s regulator and the private sector.

The “early warning” measure, the first of three alarm levels under the government’s emergency gas plan, was “preventative” and intended to assure supply of the fuel, said Habeck, who is also energy minister and vice chancellor.