Germany Weighs Creating National Gas Reserves to Prevent Winter Shortages

  • Economy Minister Habeck cites need to diversify gas purchases
  • Storages may also need to maintain certain inventory levels

Snowfall in Berlin.

Photographer: Florian Gaertner/Photothek/Getty Images
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Germany is considering creating government-controlled natural gas storage sites as it tries to prevent another shortage of the fuel ahead of next winter, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

Habeck, a co-leader of the Greens party who took office last month, said another option would be an obligation for Germany’s gas-storage facilities to maintain a certain volume at any specific time.