Routine maintenance on the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline begins today, Monday. Europe – especially Germany and Austria – are following the ten-day shutdown with great interest. Fears are that Russia will not restart gas supplies on July 21.
Although there should be an all-clear regarding the required turbines: As reported, a Siemens compressor is in Canada for maintenance, which seemed to be stuck due to the sanctions against Russia. On Saturday, the Canadian government issued a temporary special permit for the export. The repaired parts can therefore be delivered to Germany. This was preceded by intensive efforts by the German government.
Less gas for Austria
Russia cited the failure of a turbine in mid-June as one reason for curbing its gas supplies via the Nord Stream pipeline. The German government questioned this argument. Also in the energy industry, the dependency on this one part is not believed.
Austria’s Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) expressed the expectation last week that less gas will flow to Austria once maintenance work begins. This will also have an impact on storage. Nevertheless, according to calculations by E-Control, the federal government’s storage target can still be achieved if Russia delivers natural gas in the agreed volume again after the maintenance, the minister said in a broadcast on Sunday. The critical point in time is the planned restart of the pipeline, which is scheduled for July 21. “No one can predict today whether deliveries will be fully resumed afterwards. July 21 is therefore a critical date for gas supplies throughout Europe,” says Gewessler.
The direct gas deliveries via Nord Stream 1 play a minor role for Austria. Nevertheless, a “significant drop in deliveries” can also be expected in Austria.
Source: Nachrichten
