Research: German companies are forced to buy Russian natural gas at a higher price due to energy policy.

According to reports citing a study by the consulting firm Boston Consulting Group, German companies are forced to buy natural gas at a higher price due to Germany and the EU's energy policies. According to the report, Europe leads the world in the share of short-term contracts for natural gas imports. In this region, such contracts account for 28% of imports, compared to 17% for India and none for Japan, whose entire supply is secured through long-term agreements. Long-term contracts enable companies to negotiate lower prices, providing greater predictability for businesses. This market structure presents a paradox for German companies: while they need to gradually phase out fossil fuels by 2045 according to Germany and the EU's climate policies, only long-term contracts can ensure stable prices. The authors of the report warned that such conditions could threaten the competitiveness of the German industry.