Original title: Looking at the World: European Gas Crisis | The "Nord Stream" temporarily cut off the flow of Europe
Beijing, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Nord Stream-1, Russia's largest cross-border pipeline for natural gas transmission to Europe, will enter a 10-day annual maintenance period and suspend gas transmission as planned on 11 July, which means that the gas supply crisis in Europe due to the Ukraine crisis and sanctions against Russia will further deteriorate. In view of the tension between Russia and Europe, Europe is worried that the "maintenance period" of this pipeline will be extended or even completely suspended, and is hastily formulating emergency measures to deal with "gas outages".
This is the gazprom office building photographed in the Russian capital Moscow on April 28. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Alexander)
The "trachea" is temporarily cut off
According to the plan, "Nord Stream-1" will suspend gas transmission at 6 o'clock Berlin time on the 11th (12 o'clock Beijing time) and is scheduled to resume operation in the early morning of the 21st, during which the pipeline power supply system, fire and leakage prevention system and some valves will be overhauled, and the relevant software will be upgraded.
In the past, similar overhauls took 10 to 14 days and were not necessarily completed within the established deadlines, according to the German news agency.
In the case of multiple rounds of sanctions imposed by Europe and the United States on Russia and no signs of easing sanctions, European countries are worried that Russia will extend the "Nord Stream-1" maintenance period, or even completely cut off this important "trachea", and Europe may face more energy supply shortages and high prices.
This is the gazprom logo taken in Moscow, the capital of Russia, on April 28. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Alexander)
According to the Federal Network Bureau, the German electrical network regulator, the Nord Stream-1 current gas transmission capacity is only 40% of the designed capacity, and it will be reduced to zero during the maintenance period.
The Russian side said that the reduction in gas delivery was due to the Canadian government's failure to return the "Nord Stream-1" pipeline components sent by Germany's Siemens for repair in time. The Canadian side previously invoked the sanctions against Russia to seize the relevant equipment, and announced on the 9th that it would return it, but on the same day announced that it would expand the sanctions on Russian industry.
The European Union has decided to gradually get rid of its dependence on Russian energy and prepare to stop importing Russian oil by the end of the year; But Europe is difficult to find a substitute for Russian natural gas, once the Russian side of the natural gas suddenly "out of supply", European energy will be stretched.
On May 18, European Commission President von der Leyen speaks at the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The European Commission released an investment plan on the 18th, totaling about 300 billion euros, hoping to take multiple measures in the next few years to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and take the opportunity to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zheng Huansong
Each looking for a solution
The EU sets up a three-tier mechanism of "early warning", "warning" and "state of emergency" according to the severity of the potential gas supply crisis. If a "state of emergency" is constituted, the Government may take measures such as quotas or price limits to secure basic market supplies.
The EU requires EU member states, especially those heavily dependent on Russian gas, to develop measures to deal with gas shortages on demand.
Austria, which relies on Russian supplies for eighty percent of its gas needs, has activated an "early warning" mechanism to replace gas with as many other fuels as possible to keep plants running.
This is a gas station photographed on April 27 in the Polish capital Warsaw. Gazprom issued a statement on the 27th, announcing that it would suspend the supply of natural gas to Bulgaria and Poland from the same day. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhou Nan
More than 90 percent of Bulgaria's gas needs depend on Supplies from Russia, which has now agreed to buy LNG from the United States while stepping up talks with Azerbaijan to increase gas supply.
The Czech government approved a plan to respond to the heating crisis to allow coal plants that were scheduled to close next year for excessive emissions to continue operation.
In order to find a new "gas source", the country has finalized gas purchase contracts with Azerbaijan, Qatar, Algeria and other countries, purchased two sets of LNG storage and regasification plants, and plans to "maximize" the use of coal power plants if necessary to save natural gas.
A woman wearing a parasol stands outside the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, on June 17. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Alberto Lingria)
The Netherlands has also temporarily lifted production limits on coal-fired power plants.
Greece imported LNG and converted four natural gas plants into diesel. In addition, as a temporary measure, Greece plans to accelerate coal mining next year.
Denmark calls on consumers and businesses to reduce energy consumption.
Finland and the Baltic States postponed the date of maintenance of the main gas pipelines in their territories to ensure supply.
This is the largest gas storage facility in Hungary photographed in Rao nao, Hungary, on May 20. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Folti Otilo)
France is developing an emergency plan. Although imports of Russian natural gas account for only 17% of the country's total consumption, France's three major energy companies have jointly issued an open letter calling on citizens to use less energy.
Germany, which relies on Russia for 55% of its gas needs, has announced that it has entered the "alert" phase, the government will provide 15 billion euros in loans to replenish gas reserves, and this summer will launch a gas auction mechanism to guide industrial users to save gas. (Shen Min)