Launch of Nord Stream 2 impossible for the nonce: Germany

On Tuesday_ the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy said that it had stopped the certification process for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The certification of the project_ which was completed last fall_ was temporarily suspended by the German regulator_ the Federal Grid Agency_ in November 2021.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has stated that the launch of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is impossible in the short- and medium-term.

"I don't see Nord Stream 2 launched in the short- and medium-term"_ he told the news network ARD on Thursday.

Separately_ Habeck made it clear that the country would purchase gas from other countries following Russia's move to launch a special operation in Ukraine.

"We will have to buy gas_ as well as buy coal_ in other countries in a larger volume because we cannot depend so much on a country that no longer respects international law"_ the minister said_ in an apparent nod to Russia.

The announcement comes after Der Spiegel reported on Tuesday that the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy had halted the certification process for Nord Stream 2.

The move followed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying that he had contacted the country's regulator_ the Federal Grid Agency_ in a "necessary step" to suspend the certification of Nord Stream 2.

"Today I asked the Federal Ministry of Economics to withdraw from the Federal Grid Agency a report on ensuring energy security. This sounds like a technical moment_ but it is a necessary step so that the certification of the gas pipeline cannot take place now. Without this certification_ Nord Stream 2 cannot be launched"_ Scholz told reporters on Tuesday.

He spoke after the Federal Grid Agency told Sputnik that the certification process for Nord Stream 2 "will be suspended" until the regulator "verifies the completeness of the subsidiary's documents".

"At present_ we cannot predict when the procedure [for certification] can be resumed"_ a Federal Grid Agency spokesperson said_ when asked at what stage the previously suspended certification process is and if the regulator's plans will change after Russia's recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics on Monday.

Media reports have_ meanwhile_ said that Aommissioning Nord Stream 2 without certification is theoretically possible_ with a fine of up to one million euros ($1.1 million) expected.

Nord Stream 2 Certification Suspended
In late January_ Nord Stream 2 AG_ the Switzerland-based operator of the gas pipeline_ announced that it had established a German subsidiary to add to the process of approving the gas pipeline project by the German regulator.

In late 2021_ Nord Stream 2 was temporarily suspended by the Federal Grid Agency_ which said that approving the pipeline would be impossible until the German-based portion of the infrastructure project and its employees were transferred to German jurisdiction.

The agency further required that Nord Stream 2 AG set up an independent subsidiary in Germany organised under and subject to German law.

The already completed Nord Stream 2 pipeline is capable of transporting up to 1.9 trillion cubic feet (55 billion cubic metres) of gas per year from Russia to Europe along the bottom of the Baltic Sea.