Spiegel reports surge in demand for home heaters in Germany

Gas cylinders and oil coolers are gradually disappearing from the shelves of German hardware stores, writes Spiegel in the morning newsletter.

According to the authors, the current shortage is similar to that of toilet paper in early 2021 during the start of the covid-19 pandemic .

Spiegel journalists incidentally blame the energy crisis on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is waging a "psychological war" with Europe. “Putin is trying to intimidate the [EU] political community and ensure sustainable destabilization,” the publication claims.

Earlier, the demand for home heaters in Germany had sharply increased, the press service of DIY home appliance stores reported. The retail chain said that prices for heaters have been rising since early July amid fears of a cold winter and expensive gas.

According to the German broadcaster WDR, major hardware store chains in Germany have confirmed an increase in demand for oil-filled radiators, convection heaters, stoves, as well as firewood, bottled propane and pellets.

Gas prices in Europe have been rising since the beginning of June, when Gazprom announced a reduction in supplies through Nord Stream 1 due to the non-return of one of the turbines used at the Portovaya compressor station from repair. Against this background, deliveries decreased from the planned 167 million cubic meters. m per day to 100 million, and then, after the decommissioning of another unit, up to 67 million cubic meters. m.

On July 27, Gazprom stopped the operation of another turbine, thus reducing the gas flow from 65 million cubic meters. m per day up to 35 million cubic meters. m, or 20% of the design capacity of the gas pipeline. Against this background, the exchange price of gas exceeded $2,300 per 1,000 cubic meters for the first time since March.

The German authorities called the reduction in supplies via Nord Stream 1 "the Kremlin's strategy." “I believe that Gazprom is no longer the master of its own decisions,” said German Vice Chancellor Robert Habek, calling the situation around Nord Stream 1 and turbines a farce: “Everything is politicized, agreements are no longer respected.” Russia denied accusations that the reduction in supplies via Nord Stream 1 was due to political reasons.

Earlier, Spiegel, citing a study by the Civey Public Opinion Research Institute, reported that German residents, in anticipation of a long economic crisis, were determined to worsen their financial situation in the next five years. According to Civey, 71% of respondents expect the country's economic level to decline in the next five years, and only 11% of those surveyed believe that the situation will get better.