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Germany to scrap gas storage tariff for next-door neighbors after backlash

Germany plans to eliminate next year a gas storage tariff it charges neighbours for purchasing gas from its reserves, an economy ministry official stated on Thursday, following grievances from the neighbouring nations.

The levy is a tradition of the energy crisis that peaked in 2022 after Russia slashed gas supplies to Europe. It puts an extra charge on fuel taken from Germany's gas shops to try to recoup the billions of euros it invested buying non-Russian gas at sky-high rates to prevent fuel scarcities.

Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia have actually said the levy injures their efforts to shun Russian gas by making it more expensive to buy non-Russian fuel delivered through Germany. They have prompted the European Commission to deal with the concern.

Berlin has agreed with the Commission to abolish the levy but this won't take place before next year, energy state secretary Sven Giegold stated on the sidelines of a meeting of European Union energy ministers in Brussels.

Since this needs a legal modification, the earliest possible date is January 1, 2025, he stated, adding that scrapping the levy would significantly decrease the expenses of gas transit through Germany and help neighbours wean themselves off Russian gas.

The Commission has actually raised doubts about the legality of the levy as EU single market guidelines prohibited tariffs on trade between member countries.

It was never ever our objective to hamper the diversity with this levy far from Russian gas. Rather to the contrary, Giegold stated, including a scheduled boost in the levy in July would still come into force and would be primarily paid by German consumers.

The gas storage system will continue to exist and will just be eliminated on the interconnectors (with neighbours). Because the financing issue continues, he included.

Austrian energy minister Leonore Gewessler invited the German statement.

I am extremely happy that our intense settlements and the attention we raised to this concern has now resulted in excellent outcomes, Gewessler stated on the sidelines of the Brussels conference.

(source: Reuters)