Germany's mechanical engineering sector on Monday warned of looming gas shortages in the coming winter months, pointing to only slowly rising storage levels.
"Given the slow rate of storage filling, concern is growing within the industry about supply shortages this coming winter," said Thilo Brodtmann, executive director of the Association of German Mechanical and Plant Engineering (VDMA) in Frankfurt.
Brodtmann noted that natural gas is required for "many critical processes" in the mechanical and plant engineering sector.
"A physical gas shortage or skyrocketing prices would pose a significant threat to the industry," he was quoted as saying in a statement.
The VDMA also called on the government to make sure Germany had enough gas supplies.
"Utilities, wholesalers, and ultimately the government bear a clear responsibility for security of supply," said Brodtmann.
Low gas storage levels have sparked concern in Germany, where storage facilities are currently only filled to around 50%.
According to the gas storage association Ines, this is the lowest level for the time of year since records began in 2011.
At the same time last year, the figure stood at 67%. Gas prices have skyrocketed due to the Iran war, leading traders to buy less gas to sell in winter.
The German Economy Ministry believes that the private sector - meaning gas companies and traders - bears the primary responsibility to ensure enough supplies are available for the colder winter months.
Nevertheless, the government is "preparing the necessary options so that they can be implemented quickly and in a targeted manner should the situation deteriorate", the ministry said recently. However, a gas shortage is not currently expected this coming winter, it said.