BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - German Economics Minister Robert Habeck has defended the decision to once again bring lignite-fired power plants out of reserve. The Green politician said on Wednesday evening in the ARD program "Maischberger" with a view to the winter: "It's not something I'm proud of. But we are not through yet at the end." Admittedly, he said, the gas storage facilities are very full. "If nothing happens, we'll get through the winter just fine."

Habeck made it clear, however, that something could always happen. He referred to the damage to the Balticconnector Baltic Sea pipeline between Estonia and Finland, which was probably caused by external factors. "We still have to be mindful. That's why we still have safety nets stretched."

However, he said, in the winter of 2024/2025 we will be able to manage without coal-fired power plants from the reserve. Habeck referred to planned additional capacities for importing liquefied natural gas.

With his statements on the reactivation of climate-damaging lignite-fired power plants, the Economics and Climate Protection Minister referred to an extension of the so-called supply reserve decided by the cabinet at the beginning of October. These power plants will be able to participate in the electricity market again for a limited period until March 31, 2024. The supply reserve will be used once again for this winter in order to save gas in power generation and thus prevent supply bottlenecks with gas in the coming heating period, the ministry said.

The supply reserve includes lignite-fired power plant units operated by RWE in Niederaussem and Leag in Jänschwalde, for example. This reserve was already active from October 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 - meaning lignite-fired power plants returned to the electricity market.

Three floating landfall terminals are currently in operation for liquefied natural gas (LNG) - in Wilhelmshaven in Lower Saxony, Lubmin in Western Pomerania and Brunsbüttel in Schleswig-Holstein. Three more LNG terminals are to follow in Wilhelmshaven, Stade and Mukran on the island of Rügen. However, there is strong opposition there from environmentalists and the population.

Germany's natural gas storage facilities are more than 95 percent full. Before last winter, there were major concerns about a gas shortage because Russia had suspended gas deliveries - but there was no shortage./shy/DP/men