Canada to release equipment for Russia-Germany gas pipeline

BERLIN (AP) – The Canadian government has said it will allow equipment to be delivered to Germany from a key natural gas pipeline between Russia and Europe that has undergone maintenance. – equipment whose lack of Russian gazprom cited last month as a reason for more than half the flow of gas.

The return of Nord Stream 1 pipeline turbines sent to Montreal for a scheduled overhaul was complicated by sanctions imposed on Russia because of the war in Ukraine. Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in a statement on Saturday that « Canada will grant a time-limited and revocable permit to Siemens Canada to allow the repaired Nord Stream 1 turbines to be returned to Germany. »

This, Wilkinson said in the statement posted to Twitter, will support « Europe’s ability to access reliable and affordable energy as it continues to move away from Russian oil and gas. » He said that « without a necessary supply of natural gas, the German economy will suffer very significant difficulties ».

Siemens Energy said after Gazprom began cutting gas flows in mid-June it was unable to return a gas turbine that powers a compressor station on the pipeline, which had been overhauled after more than 10 years of service, to the client, Gazprom.

German politicians have rejected the Russian explanation for the 60% reduction in gas flows via Nord Stream 1, saying equipment should not have been a major issue until the fall and that the Russian decision was a gamble policy to sow uncertainty and drive up prices.

Canada’s decision comes before Nord Stream 1 is shut down Monday for annual maintenance. In previous summers, work led to a shutdown of around 10 days, but German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck said he suspected Russia was citing « a few small technicalities » as a reason for not resuming work. gas deliveries.

The reduction in gas flows comes as Germany and the rest of Europe try to reduce their dependence on Russian energy imports. Germany, which has the largest economy in Europe, gets around 35% of its gas to power industry and generate electricity from Russia.

Last month, Habeck activated the second phase of Germany’s three-stage contingency plan for natural gas supplies, warning that Europe’s biggest economy was facing a « crisis » and that the targets storage for the winter were threatened.

On Friday, energy company Uniper – Germany’s largest importer of Russian gas – asked the government for a bailout to deal with soaring gas prices.

The Associated Press

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