Gazprom, as promised, has put Europe on a gas starvation ration
The Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline resumed operations as planned early on Thursday, July 21, after being closed for annual maintenance for 10 days, pipeline operator Nord Stream AG said.
But its capacity is far below the maximum, DW reports.
The president of Germany's Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, said on Twitter that the pipeline was operating at about 30% capacity and that this volume was guaranteed for two hours. However, Mueller said the intraday change in delivery rates is unusual.
A Nord Stream AG spokesman told German news agency dpa that recent gas supply volumes were the same as before the maintenance period, corresponding to about 40% of maximum supply capacity.
Europe is awaiting the resumption of gas supplies from the Russian Federation amid fears that Moscow will decide to keep the taps practically closed, which could provoke an energy crisis. Germany accused Russia of using energy as a “weapon.”
“Moscow is not shy about using grain and energy supplies as a weapon. We must defend ourselves resolutely,” complains German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
As of Wednesday, according to official estimates, gas reserves in Germany were about 65% of demand.
Nord Stream 1 starts north of St. Petersburg in Russia and ends at a station near Greifswald on Germany's northern coast on the Baltic Sea.
Germany is now facing a severe energy crisis. Green energy plans and visions have not worked out, and many businesses are limiting their energy consumption.
Gazprom, as promised, has put Europe on a gas ration.