Despite objections from Ukraine, Canada is going to return a repaired turbine for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany. The Canadian government said in a statement on Sunday that it was an exception to the sanctions against Russia. That country had previously promised to increase the supply of gas to Europe again if the part was returned.
Ukraine on Friday called on Canada not to return the turbine, because it would violate sanctions. However, Germany wanted an exception to this to prevent the gas supply from coming to a complete standstill.
The turbine, which is maintained by Siemens in Canada, was shipped to Montreal for repair prior to the sanctions taking effect. Since then, the device has been held there as sanctions against Russia have come into effect in the meantime.
According to Canadian Minister for Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson, “after intensive discussions with our European friends and allies” it has been decided to return the gas turbine. Government sources reported to news agency earlier this week Reuters that the turbine will go to Germany first. The country will then supply the gas pipeline to the Russian state gas company Gazprom.
Germany largely dependent on Russia
Germany is still dependent on Russia for a large part of its gas needs. The throttling of the gas supply via Nord Stream was therefore seen by Berlin as a political choice of the Kremlin. Due to the lesser gas supply, there is a risk that gas in Germany will be rationed. This would have major consequences for the industry in the country in particular.
There is also a Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, but it is not in use. The gas pipeline was still awaiting formal approval from the German government. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced at the beginning of this year that he will not certify the commissioning of the pipeline because of the war in Ukraine. Germany may want to use parts of the Nord Stream 2 for a terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG).
