In the third tender Germany seeks innovation proposals with a combined capacity of 397.2 MW and a price cap of about €7c/kWh.

This €200bn package is expected to include a €96bn subsidy scheme which was introduced earlier in October 2022.

"If we continue to meet our savings target of at least 20% in Germany, if three LNG terminals start operating at the beginning of next year at the latest, and if the expected winter-related decline in imports and the rise in currently low exports remain moderate, then we can get through the winter without a national gas emergency," he said in a statement.

Germany could face power shortages this winter without the supplies of Russian gas on which its economy has relied.

The head of Germany's Federal Network Agency, which would be in charge of gas rationing in the event of a supply emergency, repeated his warning a week ago that consumption was too high.

European countries should guard against distorting the common market with billions in state support and must maintain a level playing field

Germany is rushing to minimize the impact of surging energy costs after Russia curtailed supplies of natural gas in retaliation for sanctions imposed after its invasion.

According to agreement, the two plants are to be transferred to an operational reserve after the end of their regular service life on 31 December in order to prevent an impending power grid bottleneck in southern Germany.

Germany has unveiled an €8bn package, which comes in addition to prior bailout packages, with the objective to finance and acquire Uniper, as well as help it maintain operations, amid unstable gas supplies and soaring energy prices.

Deutsche ReGas has started building a 4.5 bcm/year LNG import terminal, named Deutsche Ostee, in Lubmin in the northeast of Germany.