The maintenance of the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 1 should last a total of ten days – and will therefore end on Thursday. Despite promises that the lines will be filled again from 6 a.m., many still have their doubts about this. While there were growing signs on Wednesday that the gas should actually start flowing again, a further shortage would put many EU countries in trouble – especially Austria.
Gas deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline have been announced for Thursday following the end of routine maintenance. This was revealed on Wednesday afternoon from preliminary data from the German network operator Gascade. Gascade operates the two receiving points of Nord Stream 1 in Lubmin in western Pomerania. According to Gascade’s website, gas deliveries are reserved for both points.
Only 40 percent is delivered
The German federal network agency announced on Wednesday that about 800 gigawatt hours had been registered for Thursday. In comparison, in the three days before the maintenance work it was about 700 gigawatt hours – but that only corresponds to about 40 percent of the ordered quantity. However, the Bonn regulator pointed out that the amount of gas announced for Thursday could change in the short term.
In addition, the eagerly anticipated gas turbine from Canada has still not arrived in Russia. Delivery is expected on Sunday in any case, but Gazprom is still complaining about the lack of information that the turbine is actually on its way. This could be used by Russia as a possible pretext to continue supplying less gas to the West.
Threat stays upright
And with that, Russian President Vladimir Putin still has some wiggle room to hold onto the threat of Europe having to make it through the winter without enough gas. Due to the apparently still reduced deliveries, it is hardly possible to fill the gas storage tanks sufficiently.
Putin threatened a further cut in delivery volume on Wednesday evening. If Russia does not get the turbine in Canada repaired, the transhipment capacity threatens to decrease significantly again at the end of July. “Then there are only 30 million cubic meters per day.” The pipeline can theoretically carry more than 167 million cubic meters per day.
Quitting gas would have devastating consequences
So what happens if the gas tap remains completely closed despite all the promises from Russia? The possible further deficit could not only lead to serious energy bottlenecks across the region, but also further fuel the already severe economic crisis – in Austria inflation recently rose to 8.7 percent.
But, as the head of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research, Gabriel Felbermayr, has repeatedly emphasized, inflation could even double. “In the event of a natural gas supply stoppage or an embargo, the European economy would go into recession,” the economic researcher clarified.
Austria particularly hard hit
In a European comparison, Austria would be particularly hard hit – in this country the share of gas imported from Russia is considerably higher than eg B. in Germany (2021: Austria 86 percent, Germany almost 40 percent). For a landlocked country that is more reliant on pipelines, it is more difficult to make up for supply shortages with other supply sources.
It is also more difficult in Austria to compensate for natural gas with other energy sources, as the electricity generated in gas-fired power stations can hardly be replaced by our own coal and, above all, nuclear power stations. In the event of a supply stop, a greater economic malaise is expected in the domestic energy-intensive industry and in the generation of electricity and district heating than in Germany.
Gewessler: Don’t waste your time
Infrastructure Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) therefore called on Wednesday for more speed for a joint gas purchase by the EU. The Commission’s proposals presented so far are generally reasonable, but it is now important not to lose time in implementing them. EU countries have yet to approve the Commission’s plans, which is due on July 26 at a special meeting of energy ministers.
According to the will of the European Commission, EU countries should be able to be forced to save gas in the event of a gas crisis. In concrete terms, the Brussels government proposed on Wednesday that binding reduction targets should be possible if not enough savings are made. The EU countries must voluntarily do everything they can to reduce their consumption by 15 percent in the coming months compared to the average of the past five years. The EU countries have yet to approve the project.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
