The Russian-German Nord Stream 2 pipeline was to provide Germany with enough energy when coal and nuclear power were phased out. The pipeline and distribution network for gas from Russia were ready. Only one German approval was missing. Then Putin chose to attack Ukraine. Two days before the outbreak of war on February 24, Chancellor Olaf Scolz halted the approval process. It happened on the same day that the Russian National Assembly recognized the Ukrainian counties of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states. Nord Stream 2 where it lands in Lubmin in northern Germany. Photo from February 15. Photo: Michael Sohn / AP The German Ministry of Economy is being cut and nationalized and is now working on plans for nationalization, reports the German magazine Der Spiegel. This will be done by cutting the pipeline in the Baltic Sea in two. The part located in the German part of the Baltic Sea will then be nationalized. It will then be connected to a mobile liquefied gas terminal, LNG. Germany has previously refused to invest in LNG. But the war in Ukraine has caused the government to change its mind. Two terminals will now be built for receiving liquefied gas. The government also plans to lease floating terminals according to Clean Energy Wire. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz talks about Russian gas cooperation in the Bundestag on 15 September. It was two days before the Russian leadership presented its ultimatum to Ukraine and NATO. Photo: Michael Sohn / AP Russia’s leadership button in the comments The Russian business newspaper Kommersant wrote about the case yesterday. President Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was “too early” to comment on the plans. But he added that if they lead to concrete actions, then it will first and foremost be “work for lawyers”. State-controlled Gazprom would not comment either. The company has an ownership interest of 51 percent in the pipeline. Russian President Vladimir Putin along with Gazprom’s powerful director, Alexei Miller. Here during a meeting on 3 August 2017. Gas is politics, both in Russia and in the rest of Europe. Photo: Alexei Nikolsky / AP – Can respond with the same coin Sources Kommersant has spoken to say they believe German nationalization could lead to Russia expropriating German companies. Relations between Gazprom and German partners are already at a freezing point. Russia has reduced gas exports via Nord Stream 1 to Germany by 60 percent. This pipeline runs mostly parallel to Nord Stream 2 from Russia to the German mainland. Gazprom claims that the reduction is due to the German company Siemens having broken a contract. They were to deliver a unit to a gas compressor station for the pipeline that is already in operation. Map of the route to Nord Stream 2 from Ust Luga in Russia to Lubmin at Greifswald in Germany. Photo: Stefan Sauer / AP Expensive not to use Nord Stream 2 The pipeline has cost NOK 109 billion at today’s exchange rate. Two Germany-based companies, Wintershall Dea and E. ON, each own 15.5 percent. In addition, two companies with bases in the Netherlands, Belgium and France on the ownership side participate. Both the main owner Gazprom and the four other companies will lose a lot of money if gas is never to flow through the pipes. Now the German Ministry of Economy is trying to find solutions. Liquefied gas takes up only 600 parts of the space of ordinary gas. It can be converted to ordinary gas again, or used as fuel in liquid form. But according to Der Spiegel, it is a risky project with major environmental challenges. The leaked German plans have a clear political message. Although the Kremlin will not admit that they are worried about the costs of the war.
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Germany considers nationalizing parts of German-Russian gas pipeline – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
