Germany shrugs off fears of energy crisis without Russian gas [Video]

BERLIN, Germany — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Tuesday that his country is well-prepared to tackle a possible energy shortage because of Russia’s squeeze on European gas supplies, even as fears grow about the juggernaut of rising prices that will likely hit consumers across the continent this winter.

He spoke at the start of a two-day government retreat, attended also by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, which was focused on the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the energy supply in Europe.

Scholz cited Germany’s decisions to reactivate oil and coal-fired power plants, mandate the filling of natural gas storage facilities and lease floating liquefied natural gas terminals. A decision on extending the operating life of Germany’s three remaining nuclear power plants is also expected soon.

“All of this and many further measures have contributed to us being in a much better situation as far as …