German officials are bracing for any sudden cut in Russian gas supplies through an emergency package that could include control of critical firms.

About it writes Reuters, citing sources.

The preparations, led by the Economy Ministry, are indicative of heightened concerns about the supply of gas, which powers Europe’s largest economy and is critical for steel, plastics and automobile production. Russian gas accounted for 55% of Germany’s imports last year, the agency said.

While Germany has said it wants to cut off Russian supplies , it expects to be heavily dependent on Moscow by mid-2024.

Germany fears that Russia may unilaterally cut off the flow of gas and want to have a plan of action for such a case.

The German government will support additional loans and guarantees to support energy companies to help them cope with soaring prices, and could take critical companies such as oil refineries under its wing, several officials said.

“Last month, Berlin approved a legislative change that would allow it to take control of energy companies as a last resort. Discussions are now underway on how it could put this measure into practice, for example, take control of the PCK oil refinery, which is run by Russian Rosneft in Shwedte “near Poland,” Reuters writes, citing interlocutors.

The final government package of emergency actions has not yet been developed, the agency writes.

In April, Russia’s Gazprom stopped gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria.

Recall that Gazprom is trying to convince Europe that paying for gas in rubles does not violate sanctions.

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