Germany Is Already Struggling to Keep the Lights On

Germany’s government was slow to react when Russia squeezed gas supplies. Now cities are cutting back on lighting and hot water in a bid to avert disaster.

It might still be the height of summer, but Germany has little time to lose to avert an energy shortage this winter that would be unprecedented for a developed nation. Much of Europe is feeling the strain from Russia’s reduction of natural gas deliveries. Yet no other country is as exposed as the region’s biggest economy.