Germany’s economy minister says the country will restrict the use of natural gas for electricity production and use coal-fired power plants in response to a supply reduction in Russian gas.
Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom claims the supply reduction in the Nord Stream pipeline is the result of “repair work”, however European Union officials believe it’s a ploy by Moscow to punish allies of Ukraine.
Germany’s move comes amid deepening concern over possible natural gas shortages caused after Russia sharply reduced supplies of natural gas in pipelines to western Europe.
“To reduce gas consumption, less gas must be used to generate electricity. Coal-fired power plants will have to be used more instead,” Robert Habeck said in a statement on Sunday.
