The Nord Stream 2 (SP-2) gas pipeline will contribute to the energy security of Europe. This was announced on Friday, November 5, by Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Linhart.
“Austria has ambitious climate targets. However, gas will continue to be used until complete decarbonization. In this context, Nord Stream 2 contributes to energy security, “he stressed in an interview withRIA News“.
Earlier that day, Tiina Tuomela, CFO of Uniper, indicated that the launch of the JV-2 will put the European gas market on the right track. She stressed that the current rise in gas prices is exceptional. A representative from Uniper expressed the hope that this situation will not continue.
Also on Friday, German MEP Dietmar Koster appealed to the European Commission, stating that the energy situation could worsen if the United States imposes sanctions on gas imports to the European Union through the SP-2. According to him, the lives of ordinary citizens will suffer from the possible actions of the United States. Due to the rise in energy prices, residents of EU countries, in particular low-income households, “have a substantial and legitimate fear”.
On the eve, the head of the Bundestag Committee on Economics and Energy, Klaus Ernst, told Izvestia that Germany doubts the possibility of receiving fuel through SP-2 until the end of 2021. The Federal Network Agency of Germany (BNetzA) must resolve the issue of project certification by the beginning of January 2022.
On November 3, Bloomberg announced a possible delay in the commissioning of SP-2 until May of this year due to the process of obtaining permission from the German regulator. The publication noted that the situation could be influenced by the energy situation in Europe if it aggravates. According to the agency, gas supplies via SP-2 may begin the next day after receiving the license.
The head of the German company Wintershall Dea, Mario Mehren, said on October 26 that a harsh winter in Europe could lead to further increases in gas prices. He also noted that the launch of the SP-2 gas pipeline will increase gas supplies to Europe and stabilize the market situation.
On October 23, the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), Norbert Walter-Boryans, welcomed the launch of SP-2. He specified that the high demand for natural gas in Europe demonstrates its urgent need for Berlin.
The construction of SP-2 was completed on September 10, but the gas pipeline has not yet started its work. It was built from Russia to Germany along the Baltic seabed with the aim of direct gas supplies to Europe. The EU countries mainly support the project and participate in its implementation. The Baltic states, Poland, the USA and Ukraine are opposed.
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