Scholz believes Germany can weather energy crisis this winter

German Chancellor Olaf Schultz has promised his government will not leave citizens frozen or unable to pay energy bills, but acknowledged his country will face considerable challenges in the coming months.

Rising fuel costs triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine has put severe financial pressure on many in Germany and beyond, raising fears of a possible winter of discontent.

“We will do everything we can to help citizens through this difficult time,” Scholz told reporters at the annual summer news conference in Berlin.

He cited the many measures the government has taken to ease the economic hardship of residents and secure alternative energy supplies to replace Russia’s oil, coal and natural gas.

Asked if he feared the frustrations could turn into violent protests, Mr Scholz replied: “I don’t believe … riots can happen in this country.” He cited Germany’s strong social welfare tradition.

But the chancellor admitted there would be “a lot of demand” in winter as the country tries to balance energy shortages with a long-term plan to phase out the use of nuclear power and fossil fuels.

The German government has given utilities the green light to restart shut down oil and coal plants as part of an effort to reduce the country’s reliance on Russian gas.

Mr Scholz said the government was also considering extending the life of the country’s three remaining nuclear power plants beyond the end of the year, although it was taking steps to massively boost renewable power generation in the short to medium term.

“In order to achieve (energy) sovereignty in the future, while doing what is necessary for our economic future, the most important thing we can do is expand renewable energy and protect the climate,” he said.

Mr Scholz appeared to admit that Germany’s past reliance on Russian energy was a mistake and that the country should diversify its supply as soon as possible.

He declined to say whether he personally regrets Germany’s continued purchases of Russian gas, and whether that gives Berlin a greater responsibility to support Ukraine against a Russian military attack.