KHARKIV: Russia reopened its biggest gas pipeline to Germany at less than half normal capacity on Thursday after a maintenance shutdown, raising worries of European energy shortages to come.
The resumption of gas flows via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany ended a nerve-jangling 10 days for Europe in which politicians expressed concern Russia might keep it shut altogether after closing it for repairs. But with the flows still cut back, Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck accused Russia of blackmailing Europe over energy.
The Kremlin denied that and blamed Europe for causing disruption with sanctions which had complicated the pipeline’s maintenance. Nearly five months since Russia invaded Ukraine, the prospect of a disruption of European energy supplies is one of the biggest global economic and political risks arising from the war. European countries fear they could face shortages next winter, if Russia cuts back deliveries during warm months when they typically replenish storage tanks.
“(President Vladimir) Putin’s goal is to unsettle, drive up prices, divide society and to weaken support for Ukraine,” Habeck said. “We don’t bow to it but counteract this with concentrated and consistent action. We take precautions so that we can get through the winter. ” Germany unveiled measures to reduce gas demand, including suspending minimum temperature requirements in apartment rental contracts, and dipping into Germany’s coal reserves. Nord Stream 1 has traditionally carried more than a third of Russia’s gas exports to Europe.
“In view of the missing 60 per cent and the political instability, there is no reason yet to give the all-clear,” said Klaus Mueller, president of Germany’s network regulator.
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