Germany will almost certainly fail to meet its gas inventory targets in the face of reduced supplies from Russia, said the President of the Federal Network Agency Klaus Müller, AFP reported.

According to him, the next goal - replenishment of gas reserves by 85% by October 1 is not impossible, but certainly very ambitious.

Müller warned residents of Europe's largest economy that there would be no alternative to saving energy.

Shortages during the cold months of 2022-2023 are quite likely in some regions, he said. The shortfall is likely to be temporary at first, and then may stop or resume repeatedly, Müller warned, meaning the gas may have to be transported to the affected regions of the country.

Germany is heavily dependent on Russian gas, and its supplies have been cut sharply amid tensions over the war in Ukraine.

In July, gas flows fell to 20 percent of the capacity of the key Nord Stream gas pipeline.

Household energy bills will skyrocket this winter, and energy shortages are expected to stifle economic growth.