Moscow and Berlin exchanged accusations over the delay
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the gas turbine that sparked an escalating energy standoff between Russia and the EU on Wednesday.
After inspecting part of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and stating that “the turbine is working” Scholz blamed Moscow for the delays in his return and the subsequent reduction in the flow of gas from Russia to Germany. The Siemens-made equipment had been serviced in Canada and had to be returned to Russia, but international sanctions made this impossible, and the part has since remained stuck in Germany.
“[The turbine] can be transported and used at any time”, said the Chancellor during a factory visit to Siemens Energy in Muelheim an der Ruhr. “The non-compliance with gas supply contracts has no technical reason”, he added.
Germany blamed Moscow for deliberately blocking the return process and using the turbine as a pretext to reduce the flow of gas. Chancellor Scholz said the turbine had received “all approvals” necessary for the export from Germany to Russia, and it was Gazprom’s turn to provide the customs information to enable the shipment.
Gazprom, however, said on Wednesday that Western sanctions made it impossible to properly return pipeline equipment.
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Russian gas giant warns it cannot accept key turbine
It was reported last month that the turbine was to be sent to Russia within days. On Thursday, however, he is still in Germany.
Another Siemens turbine was disabled at a compressor station last month due to its technical condition, with gas flow through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline falling to just 20% of capacity.
On Wednesday, turbine maker Siemens confirmed that only one in six of its Nord Stream 1 turbines is currently operational and that five are needed to pump at 100% capacity.
Moscow has repeatedly said that international sanctions essentially make it impossible to increase EU supplies because they prevent proper maintenance of equipment.
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