Reduced Russian gas to Europe due to additional pipeline maintenance | Currently

Gazprom will supply Europe with less gas from Wednesday because maintenance is required for the turbines of its critical Nord Stream pipeline. According to the Russian state gas company, only 33 million cubic meters of gas per day will pass through the pipeline in two days. This is about 20 percent of maximum capacity, with throughput currently at 40 percent.

Gas supplies through the pipeline, which is so important to Western Europe, have come under pressure since Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February. Supply has decreased further in recent weeks due to planned maintenance. For example, a turbine had to be sent to Canada. Partly because of this, less than half of the usual amount of gas flows through the pipeline.

Although the turbine from Canada has not yet returned, Gazprom now says another turbine is also in need of maintenance. The company says this will almost halve the supply.

This will exacerbate gas problems in Europe. Germany, in particular, is a major user of Russian natural gas and fears major problems if supply falls further. Other countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, are also concerned about gas shortages when the cold period begins again.

Great resistance to the plans of the European Union

Last week, the European Union presented a plan to cut gas use in member states by 15 percent. In the first place, countries can try it themselves, but if it does not work, then Brussels will impose it. There was a lot of resistance against the plans, including from southern European countries. They use less gas than Russia.

Energy Minister Rob Getten said last week that the Dutch Cabinet sees something in the plans, especially because, according to him, our country already consumes less gas than it has in recent years. As a result, the Netherlands can achieve the 15 per cent target without too many problems.

However, Jetten believes that it is up to the member states themselves to determine when a mandatory restriction applies by mutual consultation.

EU energy ministers will meet in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the EU plan. According to Gettin, at least the majority of member states seem to support its principles.