January:

• Energy prices are already at a historically high level at the beginning of the year. We have given you the reasons for this "here explained.
• Investments in climate protection projects, electromobility and relief from electricity costs and the EEG levy - these are the resolutions with which the government is kicking off 2022. This is made possible by revenues from CO2 emissions trading.
• Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck stops the subsidy for energy-efficient building renovations, which subsidizes property owners who carry out energy-efficient renovations. Demand far exceeds the budget provided, he says.

February:

• On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine will begin. The EU, as a supporter of Ukraine, finds itself in a quandary, as it is dependent on Russian gas supplies.
• The federal government wants to impose a national gas reserve, which stipulates that 90% of gas storage facilities must be filled by December 1. In this way, the country wants to prepare for possible supply shortfalls. 

March:

• The "Nuclear phaseout in Germany at the end of 2022 is the subject of controversial debate. Nuclear power, for example, is seen as a potential way to become more energy independent of Russia. Nevertheless, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck is against extending the operating lives of the last three nuclear power plants in Germany beyond 2022.
• Putin demands that Russian gas deliveries to the EU be paid for in rubles. This is intended to support the Russian currency.
• The Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection declares the early warning stage of the Gas Emergency Plan. However, this is for precautionary purposes only. Security of supply is guaranteed. 

April:

• The Russian state-owned company Gazprom abandons its German subsidiary Germania. Shortly afterwards, it is nationalized. 

• Robert Habeck launches the Easter package to promote renewable energies. This is primarily intended to strengthen Germany's independence. 

• The German government decides to give the gas industry a financial helping hand.

May:

• An LNG Acceleration Act is introduced, which is intended to promote the construction of LNG terminals. The three environmental associations BUND, NABU and WWF announce their opposition, as these terminals do not have to undergo an environmental assessment due to the exceptional situation. 

• The EU decides to impose an oil embargo on Russian supplies via sea routes, but not via pipelines. For Germany, the impact is minimal, as the imported oil comes almost exclusively from the Druzhba pipeline.

• The second relief package is adopted by the German government. Among other things, the 9-Euro Ticket is launched for the months of June, July and August. 

June:

• To further reduce the use of natural gas, the Replacement Power Plant Readiness Act is being introduced, which states that power plants in the coal and oil sectors should be reactivated or operated for longer periods.
• Gazprom reduces its gas supply to Germany to 40% due to maintenance work.
• Robert Habeck declares gas emergency plan alert. The government takes measures to save energy. Habeck speaks of ""an economic attack by Putin on us"".  

July:

• EU energy ministers agree to use 15% less gas by mid-2023. In Germany, appeals are sent to the nation, "more energy efficient to live.
• Consumer protection calls for a gas price cap.
• The federal subsidy for efficient buildings is being reformed and will in future provide around 13 billion euros per year for climate-friendly renovations.  

August:

• The "Gas heating promotion is coming to an end. In the future, there will no longer be a subsidy. At the same time, the end of the subsidy is intended to encourage more homeowners to switch to renewable energy sources such as solar thermal energy. 
• The exchange electricity price per megawatt hour rises to 586 euros. At the same time last year, the price was 90 euros. Green electricity customers are also affected by the price increases. The connections explain energy offerers in "this Podcast episode.
• Russian gas supplies stop completely.   

September:

• The gas storage facilities are filled to 90%. This means that the target will be reached well before the deadline.
• Uniper, Germany's largest gas importer, has run into financial difficulties due to the lack of Russian supplies. The German government is taking over the group at 99% to secure energy supplies.
• Nordstream 1 and 2 are rocked by explosions. Gas escapes uncontrollably. There is suspicion of an attack.
• The German government agrees on a gas price brake, which is made possible with 200 billion euros.
• The "Gas apportionment is decided. It is intended to support companies - at the expense of consumers. After much criticism and protests, it is cancelled before it comes into force.

October:

• RWE is bringing forward the phase-out of lignite in the Rhenish coalfield from 2038 to 2030. At the same time, more coal is to be produced than planned until 2024. This is to ensure security of supply.
• After weeks of dispute, Chancellor Scholz puts his foot down and decrees that all three remaining nuclear power plants will remain online until April 2023 at the latest. "Here you can listen to what IPPNW says about the dangers of nuclear power.
• The Bundestag passes the third energy relief package to ease the burden on citizens.
• The Bavarian 10H rule will be relaxed, allowing wind turbines to be built within 1000 meters of residential buildings in certain areas. 

November:

• Germany's gas storage facilities are 100% full. By comparison, in 2021 the fill level at this time was just under 73 %.
• The " Federal Company for Final Disposal Ltd. indicates that the search for a final repository for nuclear waste will take longer than 2031, as originally scheduled.  

December:

• The Bundestag passes legislation for energy price brakes. This is intended to provide relief for companies and private households. The electricity and gas price brakes come into effect on March 1, 2023 and are to apply retroactively from January 1.
• The federal government is assuming the costs of the December discount for gas and heat. In this way, it is providing gas and district heating customers with noticeable relief to bridge the period until the gas price brake is applied.