It will be from May that the situation could change greatly for our national stocks. If there should be no effects due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz this month, it will be in a few weeks that conditions will change against us.
According to data released by Snam and European surveys by Gas Infrastructure Europethe 2024-2025 winter season ended without critical issues for the Italian gas system, with a storage filling level of 42% as of March 31st. A figure, the Italian one, which is higher than the European average, stable in the same period at around 34%, confirming a greater resilience of the national system even in the face of growing demand in the colder months. But, as we read today on Republicfor the flow should begin to slow within three weeks.
Here, in fact, without a rapid reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the energy lockdown could be triggered in May, because in any case we do not have sufficient energy reserves. The first problem will be gas, for which an emergency plan is ready, and then there is rationing, which could lead to new rules on air conditioners in the summer and radiators in the winter.
All hypotheses under consideration
According to the plan, the consumption of air conditioners in summer would be limited by one degree (or one hour of use would be cut) and in winter that of radiators would have to be reduced by one degree, which would save between 75 and 80 billion cubic meters of gas.
The executive also reflects on the smart working proposal in the public sector and, if possible, in the private sector, put forward by the unions. And this reflects on the use of alternate license plates for means of transport.
Furthermore, the idea of maximizing the production of coal-fired power plants and increasing the production of renewables is always hovering. Then, the hypothesis of a cut in lighting for buildings, monuments and public places and of remodulating the industrial activity of energy-intensive supply chains cannot be ruled out.
