Temporary Russian gas pipeline shutoff worries Europe

Russia has temporarily cut supply of gas from the main pipeline to Germany, worrying several EU nations

Russia has ‘temporarily’ shut down gas supplies in Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline – the main supply line to Germany.

It has sparked fears for energy security in several European nations.

The most recent shut down – however – was scheduled in advance and part of ‘routine maintenance’ during the summer – when gas usage is lower.

It is scheduled to last ten days.

But it hasn’t stopped worries over future prolonged outages.

“Our concerns are growing that Russia is clearly using gas supplies as a political weapon to drive up prices, unsettle markets and spread chaos,”

ROBERT HABECK, GERMAN MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

German officials have said they don’t know when Gazprom – Russia’s energy company which has a monopoly on exports – will resume deliveries once the scheduled maintenance is scheduled to end.

A reduction in gas supply is also affecting Italy.

The European Commission is planning proposals in July to determine how EU countries would coordinate rationing of industrial energy and which sectors to prioritise if they are faced with fewer and fewer supplies in the future.