The gas transit contract between Russia’s Gazprom Export and Ukraine’s Naftogaz expired around the turn of the year. Since 6 a.m. on the first day of the new year, Russian gas has stopped coming to Austria via Ukraine.
The grid operator AGGM recorded a drop in delivery volumes at both the intersections from Ukraine to Slovakia and at the Baumgarten transfer point from Slovakia to Austria – which was already foreseeable the day before. Ultimately, virtually no gas capacity was registered. Slovak gas transmission operator Eustream also confirmed that gas flows from Uzhorod in Ukraine to Velke Kapusany in Slovakia had been stopped.
Austria has taken precautions
However, this step did not come as a surprise and had already been announced several times. “Ukraine made it clear well in advance that it would not renew the transit contract with the aggressor Russia,” Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) noted. “We did our homework and were well prepared for this scenario.”
In 2022, following the Russian attack on Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis, Austria purchased and stored almost 20 terawatt hours (TWh) of gas as a strategic reserve.
Supply assured
Last year, approximately 76 TWh of gas was consumed in Austria and Austrian storage facilities are 79 percent full at approximately 80 TWh. In addition, Austria can import up to 185 TWh per year via Germany and Italy. Market parties therefore switched to alternative gas sources. This made it possible to compensate for the supply limitation. The supply in Austria remains assured.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
