Germans told to unite over energy crisis amid EU divisions

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By Rachel More and Paul Carrel

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany can weather a winter gas shortage caused by Russia's war on Ukraine provided companies and households pull together, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday ahead of a meeting of EU ministers divided over the best response to the energy crisis.

EU energy ministers will gather in Prague on Wednesday to seek progress on a price cap and other measures after Russia slashed its supplies that once covered about 40% of Europe's gas needs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Group of Seven (G7) states to back a cap on Russian oil and gas exports.

Talks among European Union nations have failed to produce agreement on a proposed cap, with industrial powerhouse Germany and other wealthier EU members fearing it could make it harder to source supplies.

Germany's planned heavy spending to shield its citizens from the full impact of soaring energy costs has also caused unease among some countries in the 27-nation EU that say it is more than poorer members can afford.

Germany suggested EU states could use money from the 800 billion euro ($778 billion) "Next Generation" pandemic recovery fund to help tackle other crises, such as the energy crisis, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Scholz said the country could not expect Russian energy supplies for the foreseeable future but should be able to cope with that.

"If we all continue to adapt to the changed situation - the citizens, the companies and the politicians - then we will get safely through this winter," Scholz told an engineering conference.

There have already been signs of demand picking up in Germany on cooler days despite the need to curb consumption.

FOUR-DAY WEEKS AND CANDLE LIGHT

Across Europe, analysts have put the gas shortfall at almost 15% of average winter demand and said Germany needed to cut energy consumption by around a fifth, with worrying implications for Europe's biggest economy whose industry has relied on abundant, affordable energy supplies.

The energy crisis has had knock-on effects across Europe as businesses have passed on extra costs, squeezing household budgets.

Industry forecaster S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI) Mobility said that, in a worst case scenario, Europe's energy crisis could cut its car production by close to 40% through the end of 2023. The auto industry is widely regarded as a gauge of economic health.

Market research released on Tuesday showed that rather than splashing out on new cars, Britons are stocking up on electric blankets, candles and energy-efficient slow cookers to lower fuel bills and prepare for possible power outages.

In Italy, Intesa Sanpaolo (OTC:ISNPY), the country's biggest bank, is discussing with unions a four-day working week for its 74,000 local staff in part to curb energy use.

GERMAN GAS STORAGE NEARLY 95% FULL

Scholz said Germany, which had relied more heavily than most European states on Russian gas and has been racing to find alternative sources, had almost hit a target of filling its gas storage facilities in 95% before the onset of winter.

Other European economies once dependent on Russia gas, such as Italy, have also been replenishing storage and securing supplies from other countries including Algeria and Azerbaijan.

Italy could however face a gas shortfall in the winter of 2023-2024 without a new regasification terminal that is planned in Tuscany, the chief executive of energy major Eni Claudio Descalzi said on Tuesday.

Russia progressively reduced gas flows through the Nord Stream pipeline and also via other routes since the West hit Moscow with sanctions in response to its invasion of Ukraine in February.

Gas via Nord Stream stopped completely in September and any hope of resuming shipments to Germany through that route was dashed last month by suspected sabotage.

President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia was not working against anyone on energy markets, a week after Washington criticised a decision by producer group OPEC+, of which Russia is a member, to slash oil production.

($1 = 1.0305 euros)