BERLIN –
A major Russian gas pipeline in Western Europe was closed on Monday for annual maintenance amid concerns in Germany that Russia will not resume gas flow as planned.
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline passes under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany and is the latter’s main source of Russian gas. Usually, the gas is also shipped to other countries. It is expected to be out of action until July 21 for routine work that, according to the operator, includes “testing of mechanical elements and automation systems.” Operator data showed gas flow was falling as expected Monday morning.
Still, German officials distrust Russia’s intentions, especially after Russian Gazprom last month reduced gas flow through North Stream 1 by 60%. Gazprom cited technical problems related to a gas turbine that fed a compression station that partner Siemens Energy sent to Canada for review and could not be returned due to sanctions imposed by the invasion of Ukraine. by Russia.
Canada said over the weekend that it would allow the piece to be delivered to Germany, citing the “very significant difficulties” the German economy would suffer without a sufficient supply of gas.
German politicians have rejected Russia’s technical explanation for last month’s reduction in gas flows via Nord Stream 1, saying the decision was a political maneuver to sow uncertainty and raise energy prices.
German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has said he suspects Russia may cite “some small technical detail” as a reason for not resuming gas deliveries through the pipeline after this month’s maintenance.
The head of Germany’s network regulator, the Bundesnetzagentur, said “no one can say exactly” whether the gas will be restarted.
“We have very varied signals from Russia,” Klaus Mueller told ZDF television. “There are Kremlin spokesmen who say that, in combination with the Siemens turbine, they can offer much more; but there have also been very martial messages from the Kremlin. “
On Sunday, Ukraine’s energy and foreign ministries said the return of the North Stream 1 turbines “is adjusting the sanctions regime to the whims of Russia.”
Germany and the rest of Europe are struggling to fill gas storage in time for winter and reduce their dependence on Russian energy imports. Germany, which has the largest economy in Europe, has obtained about 35% of its gas to power the industry and generate electricity from Russia.
Last month, Habeck activated the second phase of Germany’s three-stage emergency plan for natural gas supply, warning that Europe’s largest economy was facing a “crisis” and the goals of ‘storage for the winter were at risk.
The German government is preparing to pass a decree on Wednesday that will give the green light to utility companies to start 10 latent coal-fired power plants and six oil-fired power plants to offset possible other gas deficits. It will be allowed to continue operating 11 coal-fired power plants that will be shut down in November.
Environmentalists have warned that burning coal and oil releases even more carbon dioxide than gas-fired power plants, jeopardizing Germany’s climate goals. But the government argues that the short-term increase in emissions will be offset by new measures to accelerate the installation of renewable energy.
There is also concern in other countries about the implications of recent reductions in Russian supply via Nord Stream 1 and other routes.
French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the complete shutdown of Russian gas supply is a “credible possibility”. He said France should put itself in “battle mode” this summer to prepare for winter when “we will have to make brave decisions” amid a possible energy shortage.
“We can’t keep warm and act like nothing has changed,” Le Maire said. “We need to plan and organize now, we need to change our habits, reduce our (energy) consumption.”
Separately, Italian energy company ENI said Gazprom was reducing Monday’s gas delivery by about a third compared to the average of recent days. ENI said Gazprom would supply 21 million cubic meters of gas, compared to an average of about 32 million cubic meters.
Habeck on Monday signed an energy security agreement with his Czech counterpart that guarantees the landlocked nation will benefit from the new liquefied natural gas terminals Germany is building.
“Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is using energy as a weapon against us,” said Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Sikela. “It is trying to expose us to the threat of a total shortage of gas and increase its prices, which leads to a deterioration in the standard of living.”
“Having European Union allies by our side is our great advantage in this energy war,” Sikela said. “It is clear that cooperation with Germany, through which almost all gas flows to us, will be essential for us.”
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Frank Jordans in Berlin, Barbara Surk in Nice, France, and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report.
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