German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has blamed Russia for delays in the return of a Nord Stream 1 turbine that has been serviced in Canada and returned to Germany, but has not yet been returned to working use in the pipeline in Russia.
“It [the turbine] can be transported and used at any time,” Scholz said during a factory visit to Siemens Energy in Mulheim an der Ruhr, Reuters reported.
“The non-fulfilment of the gas supply contracts has no technical reasons whatsoever,” Scholz said.
The German chancellor’s comments come after Gazprom, Russia’s state gas giant, again reduced gas flows through the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which it operates, to around 20% of the pipeline’s capacity, citing the need to repair equipment.
That came after a previous 10-day stoppage of gas flows for annual maintenance, including on the Siemens Energy turbine that was sent to Canada for repair work.
The repair was carried out, with Canada returning the turbine in mid-July, but it has since been stuck in Germany, and was visited by Chancellor Scholz today, as it waits to be taken back to the Russian Portovaya compressor station.
Germany has accused Russia of holding up the process. Russia, for its part, has repeatedly said sanctions relief would help resolve energy supply issues, and the repairing and transport of gas pipeline parts.
Gazprom’s gas supply curbs have provoked criticism and condemnation in Germany and the rest of the EU, which has been reliant on Russia for around 45% of its gas imports. The bloc is trying to dramatically reduce its consumption of Russian gas, and has brought in gas rationing this coming winter, but in the meantime remains reliant on the supply.
— Holly Ellyatt
Source Article from https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/03/russia-ukraine-live-updates.html
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