According to the Federal Network Agency, households and industry have consumed too much gas in the past week. "It has gotten colder and we clearly missed the savings target in the last week," said Klaus Müller, President of the German Press Agency dpa on Thursday.

"It remains the case that we have to save at least 20 percent on gas over the winter. Last week it was just 13 percent." In the case of households, this can be explained by the low temperatures, but even when adjusted for temperature, consumption is only 16.5 percent below the average of the last four years. Too much gas was also consumed in industry for the first time in many weeks.

"I urge all consumers to continue to use gas very sparingly." A gas shortage seems less likely at the moment, but the danger has not been averted. "We mustn't become careless," said Müller.

According to the network agency, the forecast temperature for this week is 2.4 degrees below the average for the last four years. "Therefore, a significant increase in consumption is to be expected," it said in the gas management report.

gas situation