DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE: Natural gas hardly substitutable as an energy source
News General news
Due to the geopolitical effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the supply of natural gas cannot be considered secure. However, a switch to other energy sources is not unproblematic for the industry. Only 10 to 15 percent of natural gas purchases in the German paper industry (around 3 TWh of natural gas) could be replaced this year.
This is the result of a recent survey conducted by the paper industry association DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE among its members. In areas where implementation is possible, about half of the gas could be replaced by heating oil and 30 percent by coal. The remainder would have to be substituted by electricity-based steam generation.
A prerequisite for conversion is the availability of the energy sources mentioned and political support for the necessary modification permits. Above all, for substitution by electricity, disadvantages in terms of apportionments, charges and taxes would have to be ruled out by law. The other negative consequences of a switch would also have to be mitigated. For example, a decrease in energy efficiency and an increase in CO2 emissions would have to be expected.
Against the backdrop of the energy turnaround, the trend toward switching to natural gas as a bridging technology has become firmly established in the paper industry. Natural gas now accounts for 55 percent of total fuel consumption.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
