Majority of Germans want to reduce reliance on Russian gas – survey

A survey conducted by green technology company Stiebel Eltron has found that the majority of Germans want to be independent of energy imports from Russia or are in favor of their country reducing its reliance on gas imported from Russia.

Of the 1,000 German citizens surveyed, 79% say they want to become more independent of Russia.

Up to 74% say it is important for their country to become independent of gas imports such as the ones delivered to meet demand via the Nord Stream pipeline, according to Stiebel Eltron.

The launch of the study comes as energy prices in Germany and across Europe are soaring due to issues related to Russia limiting gas supplies to Europe.

In addition, geopolitical tensions over Ukraine are expected to result in further energy woes if the situation is not resolved.

Today, Germany imports more than 50% of its natural gas from Russia, however, the government has plans to reduce this dependence and make greater use of other import options in the future.

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The US government has also embarked on an initiative that is aimed at finding alternative gas suppliers to help Europe meet its energy demand in the event Russia cuts its supply.

To this end, US president Joe Biden recently met with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the president of Qatar, to discuss cooperation on energy.

The survey further identified that an increase in deployment and use of renewable energy is an important solution to addressing Germany’s energy woes.

Almost 70% of consumers surveyed say the goal of making Germany climate-neutral by 2045 is important or very important.

Up to 71% say switching from fossil fuel combustion to electricity is important to them.

Today, Germany produces 42% of its electricity using renewables and the government has set a target to increase that share to 80% by 2030. Kai Schiefelbein, managing director at Stiebel Eltron, said: “Only with the use of green energy will we hit our climate targets.”