Berlin (dpa) - Germany 's Federal Network Agency said on Thursday that monthly heating bills are likely to triple over the next year due to a drop in gas imports.

"For those who now receive heating bills, the bills have already doubled, and this is before taking into account the war in Ukraine," Klaus Müller, head of the agency, told RND news today.

He added, "This will not affect all consumers immediately or completely, but at the same time it must be paid. So it makes a lot of sense to save more money now."

Mueller indicated that the increase in collection costs could be offset by providing subsidies to gas companies worth billions of euros, or by passing the costs on to consumers, while providing assistance to those who could not afford the high price.

It is noteworthy that Germany relies heavily on Russian gas imports, which have declined since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

German officials now fear that Moscow may not reintroduce gas supplies via Nord Stream 1 once the official maintenance period ends on July 21.

Mueller stressed that ordinary consumers will be protected during the severe energy crisis in accordance with German and European law, adding that it is "extremely unlikely" that gas will stop pumping to homes.

"Even in the worst-case scenario, Germany will continue to get gas from Norway, from terminals in Belgium and the Netherlands, and directly near terminals on the German coast," he added.