No winter gas shortage is expected, even if there is no Russian gas, according to national gas network manager Gasunie Transport Services (GTS).

The body has researched the effects of a possible stop to all Russian gas and said that – if several conditions are met – mandatory shutdowns will not be needed.

Currently, it said, Dutch people are using 20% less gas due to high prices, and this needs to continue. Coal stations need to have no limits on capacity, liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity needs to be boosted, and gas exports to Germany need to be limited to 35 billion cubic metres.

‘It is good news for Dutch customers that under certain conditions, nobody will have to switch off their gas in the winter ahead,’ said GTS director Bart Jan Hoevers in a press release.

‘Other emergency measures such as extra production from the Groningen field do not seem necessary in the coming months. But it will still be necessary to save on gas use together, and it is important that we realise the measures to store sufficient gas and have a maximum LNG supply.’

Last week Gasunie subsidiary Eems-Energy Terminal made an agreement with two energy groups to deliver LNG to the Netherlands, limiting Dutch dependence on Russian gas.

However, major supplier Vattenfall told current affairs programme Nieuwsuur that many people are still having problems paying their rocketing energy bills: twice as many are going into debt help programmes compared with a year ago, and 30% more have asked for a payment plan.

The ACM consumer body has a guide to getting help if you have problems paying your energy bill.