Russia 'disillusioned' with putting Nord Stream 2 pipeline into operation in early 2022
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak believes that putting into operation the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline could help European consumers avoid paying high prices for gas.
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| Signpost to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project in Lubmin, Germany, September 7, 2020. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Mr. Novak also emphasized that Nord Stream 2 would have been operational and delivering gas to European consumers if the project had not been politicized and the confrontational trend in political relations. The project completed construction on September 10, 2021.
To start operations, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline operator needs to be licensed by the German authorities. The license is currently pending, as the Swiss-based Nord Stream 2 AG operator needs to register a new legal entity, a subsidiary based in Germany.
Russian officials had previously expected the pipeline to be operational early next year. Speaking at an online conference on December 17, Pavel Zavalny, chairman of the energy committee in the Russian lower house of parliament, said the Nord Stream 2 project could transport gas from Russia to Germany as early as next year.
“I can confirm with certainty that the Russia-Germany gas cooperation project will officially come into operation from January 2022, because continuing to delay the licensing of this important pipeline will not benefit Germany as well as the countries in the European Union,” said Mr. Pavel Zavalny.
