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The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that Russia may stop supplying gas to Europe this winter, and Germany has taken a step closer to gas rationing after a drop in supplies from Russia. The country has triggered the "alarm" stage of an emergency gas plan to deal with shortages, Germany's economy ministry said. It is the latest part of a standoff between the European Union and Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. German economy minister Robert Habeck said Russia was using gas "as a weapon" in response to EU sanctions.

Jutta Paulus, a German MEP with the Green faction, says that a lot of Germany industry relies on Russian gas supplies, and that rationing will affect the whole economy - some companies are saying their production could halve. To boost alternative supplies, they are looking at restarting coal plants and shutting down nuclear plants, but she says that the problem will be the supply of electricity, and for industries to switch to another form of supply will take time.

"We need every option possible We must save energy wherever it's possible."

Photo: Pipes at the landfall facilities of the Nord Stream gas pipline in Lubmin, Germany Credit: Reuters

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