German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has called for steps to address an emerging European kerosene shortage, while urging the coalition government to accelerate the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy against the backdrop of the Iran war.
"We must take the warnings of a kerosene shortage very seriously," said Klingbeil, who is also vice chancellor, in comments to Der Spiegel magazine published on Saturday.
"For me, it's clear: We shouldn't just address the price problem but must also keep security of supply in mind at all times."
The International Energy Agency warned on Friday that several European countries could face a kerosene shortage in the next six weeks.
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche noted in response that Germany is not solely dependent on imports, as kerosene – which is used to fuel aircraft – is also produced in German refineries.
However, according to the German Air Transport Association, even if the Iran war ends in the short term, the situation on the energy markets will only ease slowly.
Kerosene prices have more than doubled since the start of the Iran war on February 28. Much of the imported fuel comes from the Middle East and many oil facilities in the crisis region have been damaged or destroyed.
Klingbeil also stressed that the effects of the war could be prolonged.
"We are in a situation that is similarly challenging to the energy crisis following the Russian invasion of Ukraine," he said on his return flight from Washington after participating in the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Klingbeil, who also co-leads Germany's Social Democrats, appealed to the party's conservative coalition partner for energy policy reforms.
"We need to make the country more resilient, less dependent on fossil fuel imports."
The war with Iran showed this to be a crucial issue for the country, he added. "That's why we are pushing to further accelerate the expansion of renewable energies and are speeding up grid expansion."
Klingbeil on Thursday warned Reiche against slowing down the energy transition, pointing out that the coalition agreement stipulated the continued expansion of renewable energies.
- EU
- Kerosene shortage
- German Minister
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
