Large industries must allocate part of their resources to creating energy security and make gas storage facilities a fixed component of their investment program. This change in approach shifts industries from waiting for compensation after a crisis to prevention and risk management. Such a path can strengthen both production continuity and employment, as well as reduce the economic costs arising from gas imbalance.
Gas Imbalance Risk and Its Effects
In recent years, gas imbalance has become one of the most significant risks facing the country's large industries. This risk is not limited to a reduction or temporary halt in production; it can lead to a chain of economic consequences. During the cold season, limited access to gas reduces the production capacity of industrial units and, in some cases, causes disruptions in the supply chain and increases production costs.
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According to estimates, the annual loss of industries from gas imbalance in winter exceeds $20 billion. Therefore, even preventing part of this damage can provide a significant economic justification for investing in energy security.
The Necessity of Industry Participation in Gas Storage Creation
Gas storage should not merely be seen as an infrastructure project or a responsibility of the government; it should become one of the focal points of investment for large industries. It is logical for an industry that has billions of dollars in production capacity, equipment, and capital to invest in maintaining its operations against a serious energy risk. When we compare the costs of creating storage capacity and securing gas during peak consumption periods with the losses caused by production halts, the economic importance of this investment becomes clearer.
Gas storage acts as insurance for production continuity and instead of incurring costs after a crisis occurs, resources are spent on preventing the crisis. Large industries must move away from a purely demanding approach and have a specific share in managing their energy risk. Repeated complaints about gas limitations without serious action cannot sustainably solve the issue.
If industries allocate part of their resources to creating storage facilities or participating in storage projects, part of the risk arising from seasonal imbalance will be manageable, and production dependence on emergency decisions in cold months will decrease.
Ultimately, gas imbalance cannot be managed every year with temporary solutions and emergency decisions. When the figure of lost opportunities for industries due to gas limitations reaches tens of billions of dollars, investing to prevent part of this loss can be economically justifiable.
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