Germany’s economy minister, Katherina Reiche, announced that the country will broaden its gas production policy. “We have domestic gas reserves” she told the newspapers of the Funke Media Group on Saturday.
Reiche said a key question is whether gas can be produced under favorable conditions. “We need to discuss this-especially when resources are scarce and in these geopolitically challenging times” she noted. She stressed a careful balance between environmental concerns and securing raw material supplies, saying both are legitimate.
She pointed out that the federal government granted the Netherlands permission to explore a North Sea gas field. “While there is understandable worry about marine protection, a similar exploration should also be possible from the German side” she said. “We won’t tolerate unpopular measures being shifted to neighbours for the long run”.
Reiche downplayed worries about supply bottlenecks, even with noticeably depleted gas storage levels. “There is no reason for concern” she said. “We have diversified our gas supply base in Germany: we have storage, liquid‑gas terminals, and long‑term supply contracts. The gas market remains relaxed”.
She praised the United States as a reliable LNG supplier, noting that they delivered consistently during this winter even while affected by a cold wave. At the same time, she backed German firms that are further diversifying their gas imports.
Germany possesses significant shale‑gas reserves, but hydraulic fracturing has been banned in the country since 2017. Following a 2025 climate assessment by the International Court of Justice, licensing the extraction of fossil fuels could constitute a violation of international law.
