Cheniere Energy Inc (LNG)

[tw0122]

Germans should cut energy consumption by at least 20% to avoid gas shortages this coming winter, Klaus Mueller, the head of Germany’s federal regulator for gas and power networks, has told Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

“Consumers have to save at least 20% – so much more than before… there is already a risk of a gas shortage in December or we will have low storage levels at the end of the coming heating period,” the Federal Network Agency chief stated in an interview published on Saturday.

Mueller said Germany should also cut its gas exports to neighboring countries by 20%, and import 10 to 15 gigawatt-hours of gas to avoid shortages.

“If we don’t save a lot and don’t get any additional gas, we’ll have a problem,” Mueller said.