Germany Restarts Nord Stream 1 Gas Pipeline... "Russian Gas Supply at 30%"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The supply of Russian gas through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, a direct gas pipeline between Russia and Germany that had raised concerns about a supply halt, has resumed. The German government stated that the pipeline is operating at about 30% of its total capacity and warned that since Russia is weaponizing gas, the supply could be cut off at any time.

On the 20th (local time), according to Deutsche Welle (DW) in Germany, the German Federal Network Agency, which manages gas supply in Germany, announced that maintenance work on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline has been completed and the supply of Russian gas has resumed. Klaus M?ller, head of the German Federal Network Agency, stated on his Twitter, "Gas is flowing from Russia at about 30% of the total pipeline capacity."

Earlier, in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF, M?ller said, "Gazprom from Russia notified that gas supply would be at about 30% of the total capacity, approximately 530 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per day," adding, "It is better than nothing, but it is not part of the contractually agreed terms."

As Russia uses gas as a diplomatic resource weapon in response to Western sanctions, concerns are growing that Europe's gas supply will become highly unstable. Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a press conference in Tehran, Iran, said, "The Nord Stream 1 pipeline will be restarted in due time," but also pressured, "One more gas turbine of Nord Stream 1 has broken down. If the turbine, which Germany entrusted to Canada for repairs, is not returned on time, gas supply will decrease further."

Earlier, Siemens Energy in Germany had entrusted the repair of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline's gas turbine to a Canadian company, but controversy escalated as the Canadian government delayed the turbine's return citing sanctions against Russia. The Canadian government recently announced plans to transport the turbine back to Germany by air in response to Germany's request, but debates continue inside and outside Germany regarding the turbine's return and reinstallation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.