Germany has declared an “early warning” that it could soon be facing a natural gas emergency as Europe’s largest economy prepares for the risk of a full supply disruption from Russia.

The Kremlin has repeatedly demanded that so-called “unfriendly” countries pay in rubles for gas, stoking fears of a deepening energy crunch in Europe. The G-7, which induces Germany, has rejected that demand.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Wednesday that the “early warning” measure was the first of three stages and does not yet imply a state intervention to ration gas supplies.

However, Habeck called for consumers and companies to reduce consumption, telling a news conference that “every kilowatt hour counts,” according to Reuters.

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