According to the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR), the Danish Energy Agency is ramping up its preparedness after Russia drastically reduced its gas supplies to Germany to 60%. Suppliers in the Danish gas market now have to prepare for a real supply crisis, and therefore the Danish Energy Agency is now working to increase its gas preparedness, according to a press release.
This is due to the increasing uncertainty surrounding gas supplies from Russia recently, after the country reduced shipments to Germany by 60%.
“This is a serious situation we are in, exacerbated by the decline in shipments from Russia to the European gas market,” said Martin Hansen, deputy director of the Danish Energy Agency, in a statement. “We are closely monitoring developments in the gas markets. We are still receiving gas in Denmark, and we have plans in place to secure consumers. Fortunately, we are strong in Denmark because we have a lot of green energy.”.
The Danish Energy Agency has announced what is called an “early warning,” which serves as a signal to suppliers in the gas market to prepare, and this is considered the lowest of three different readiness levels.
Denmark's gas storage facilities are currently 75% full, and must be 80 percent full by November if they are to meet the EU's common target. .
Danes should not fear freezing in winter.
Minister for Climate, Energy and Supply Dan Jørgensen said, “If Denmark ends up with a regular gas crisis, the emergency plan is in place so that Danes do not have to fear a cold house during the winter. We are prepared for any eventuality,” and stressed that we are not there yet, but we are ready.
The plan also involves the largest gas-consuming companies ending up shutting down their gas supplies entirely or partially for a period. The Danish Energy Agency has already been in dialogue with the business community about who might end up contributing to a potential crisis. Both the Danish Energy Agency and the Danish minister are encouraging Danish companies to conserve gas wherever possible. The minister said: “We are filling up our gas reserves and preparing Denmark for any eventuality.”.
Minister Dan Jorgensen has no doubt that the gas issue has also become part of the political game between the European Union and Russia, so one must prepare for two scenarios: one is that Russia completely cuts off gas supplies to Europe, and the other is that we ourselves choose to say that we will no longer accept it. The minister stated that the Tyra gas field, which produces gas in the Danish part of the North Sea, will be reopened in the middle of 2023, and Denmark may then have self-sufficiency in gas.
