Cabinet prepares for ‘extreme scenarios’ in case Russia turns off gas tap | Inland

Currently, about twenty percent of European gas comes from Russia, says Jetten. “If the gas tap were to close completely, this would certainly quickly have significant effects in Eastern Europe and Finland. So for Europe I am concerned about such an extreme situation. That is why we are preparing for that,” said the minister.

According to Jetten, the Dutch gas stocks are currently still so full that ‘in a normal situation we can get through this winter just fine’. In the event of a crisis, however, neighboring countries will have to enter into talks quickly to ‘catch up’ to the problems, says the D66 minister. In order to provide households and hospitals with gas for as long as possible, the so-called ‘shutdown plan’ is used in the event of a crisis. Large consumers and the industry are then the first to be closed.

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Gas bill

According to Jetten, there are currently no plans to further tap the largest gas field in Europe, the Groningen field. “The cabinet has promised to stop gas extraction in Groningen as soon as possible. That remains our commitment.” The minister cannot guarantee that a hundred percent, he says. “But you can rely on the Groningen government to spare as long as possible.”

There were also concerns in the House about the affordability of the gas bill. The price of gas rose sharply last year, after it had fallen due to the corona pandemic. The improving economy means that there is more demand for gas. In addition, last winter was more severe than expected. Because there is more demand than supply, gas has become a lot more expensive. Last autumn, the previous cabinet already allocated several billions to compensate households for the high energy bill.

Jetten does not rule out the possibility that the cabinet will be forced to take such an intervention again later this year. “Should we have to take additional measures in the spring, I suspect that the cabinet will again look in particular at people with a small wallet.”

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