AFP
–
NOS News•today, 10:42
—
Germany will stop importing coal from Russia on August 31 and Russian oil imports on December 31. This was announced by German State Secretary Kukies at an international energy conference in Australia.
–
The decision is in line with EU sanctions against Russia, but also a major step for Germany. Not so long ago, 40 percent of the coal and oil Germany needed came from Russia. Kukies assumes that other suppliers can be found.
–
Alternative gas suppliers
According to the State Secretary, finding other gas suppliers is a bigger problem. Russia previously supplied 158 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year to other countries in Europe. The US and Qatar can only supply 30 billion cubic meters of LNG (liquefied gas) to Europe. Germany wants to build four terminals on the North Sea coast where the imported liquid gas can be converted into usable gas for households and industry. Two of them should be ready this winter.
–
Recently, Russia has cut the supply of gas to Germany via the Nordstream 1 gas pipeline by 60 percent. The line closed completely on Monday for annual maintenance. Germany is scared that Russia will then shut the tap under the guise of a technical problem.
—
