Vice Chancellor of Germany: If Nord Stream 2 is “not recognized” in Germany, then there will be no compensation

Germany will not have to pay compensation if the national regulator recognizes the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as inconsistent with EU law. Vice-Chancellor, Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck warned about this in an interview with Der Spiegel magazine.

At present, he noted, the German Federal Network Agency “suspended the certification.” “When it resumes, it will be decided whether there are conditions for issuing a permit (for pumping gas – ed.) in accordance with German and European rules. If not, then there will be no compensation payable, ”TASS quotes the vice-chancellor.

At the same time, he acknowledged that Germany’s heavy dependence on Russia in terms of energy resources is “a fact,” RBC reports.

Recall that Nord Stream 2, which is laid along the bottom of the Baltic Sea, is intended for the direct delivery of gas from suppliers in the Russian Federation to consumers in Europe. The estimated capacity of the pipeline is 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. European partners – Royal Dutch Shell, OMV, Engie, Uniper and Wintershall – finance the project in total by 50%, that is, up to 950 million euros each. This project is an alternative option for the supply of “blue fuel” to Europe. The gas pipeline bypasses the transit states – Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and other Eastern European and Baltic countries – through the economic zones and territorial waters of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. The construction of the first line of Nord Stream 2 was completed on June 4, 2021, and the second in September.

Initially, the pipeline was planned to be completed at the end of 2019, but construction was slowed down due to US sanctions. Washington regards Nord Stream 2 as a threat to Europe’s energy security. In turn, Germany opposes US sanctions, considering US policy to be interference in the country’s internal affairs, RBC points out.

On November 8, Alexei Finikov, deputy head of Gazprom’s department, announced that the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline had been completed and it was ready to be launched. “The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has been completed and is ready for launch,” the top manager emphasized during a closed meeting with investors.

Meanwhile, to start deliveries, Nord Stream 2 AG must be certified as a pipeline operator. This procedure consists of two stages: first, the German regulator will develop a draft decision, then it will be evaluated by the European Commission. Berlin has already received a full package of necessary documents from Moscow.