Resumption of 40% of supplies is insufficient to ward off energy crisis in Europe this winter, say experts
Gas has started to flow at reduced levels from Russia tothrough the Nord Stream 1 pipeline after fears a scheduled shutdown for maintenance work would be used as a pretext to permanently close off the supply.
Berlin has been awaiting the end of the works with trepidation since the 11 July shutdown, with an expectation that either the gas would be cut off completely or reduced. Experts have said an energy crisis in Europe is unavoidable under the current circumstances. Germany’s economy minister, Robert Habeck, has talked of a “nightmare scenario” facing Europe, especially Germany, Europe’s largest economy.
Earlier this month Habeck announced the resumption of highly polluting coal-fire power plants, which had been mothballed. Germany has stopped short of reversing a decision to halt nuclear power production, which will be phased out by the end of the year. But this is far from being ruled out altogether.
Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday: “Russia is blackmailing us … Russia is using energy as a weapon and therefore in any event, whether it is a partial major cutoff of Russian gas or total cutoff, Europe needs to be ready.”
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