Chancellor Olaf Scholz indirectly accused Russia of using pretexts for the lack of gas deliveries. The turbine for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline can be used at any time and delivered, the SPD politician said on Wednesday during a visit to the energy technology group Siemens Energy in Mülheim an der Ruhr. The machine is temporarily stored there during the journey from Canada to Russia. According to Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), the unit has been in Germany since 18 July.
“The turbine is there, it can be delivered, someone just has to say I want it, then it will be there very quickly,” Scholz stressed. Nothing will therefore hinder the transport of gas through Nord Stream 1. “It is obvious that nothing, absolutely nothing, hinders the further transport of this turbine and its installation in Russia”.
Scholz speaks of advanced reasons
Not only is the turbine in perfect condition, there are no gas penalties against its use. In view of the Russian war in Ukraine, however, we must be aware “that there can always be alleged reasons that lead to something that does not work,” said the Chancellor.
Scholz said there was “significant capacity at Nord Stream 1”. There is no shortage of opportunities to fulfill all the contracts that Russia has concluded for the whole of Europe with the help of this gas pipeline and the Ukrainian gas pipeline, which is also still in operation. It should not be forgotten that there is still a gas pipeline through Belarus and Poland that has been in operation for decades. “Russia itself has decided to sanction the pipeline”.
Siemens rejects the allegations
Since June, Russia has reduced gas supplies via Nord Stream 1. The energy company Gazprom has justified this with the missing turbine. It is important to increase the pressure needed to pump the gas. Gazprom has repeatedly accused its contract partner Siemens Energy of failing to send the necessary documents and information to repair the machine. Siemens Energy denied the allegations.
Russia reiterated its position on Wednesday. The turbine is now in Germany, but Gazprom, as the owner, does not yet have the necessary documents, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Interfax news agency.
Christian Bruch, CEO of Siemens Energy, told Mülheim that the turbine undergoing maintenance was in fact only intended for reinstallation in September. At the Portovaya gas compressor station there is still an identical spare part, “which is there and could be installed now”. However, Gazprom usually only does this when the next spare part is already on the way. “From our point of view, everything that can be done is prepared.” It tries to clarify every day in Gazprom. “There is still a dialogue with Gazprom, and there is still a clarification on the problems of what is actually missing and what is not.”
Scholz wants to “demystify” the debate
The turbines drive compressors that build up the pressure needed to transport the gas through the pipeline. According to Bruch, there are six large turbines for both Nord Stream 1 lines in Portovaya as well as two smaller turbines. “Five of these turbines are needed to generate 100 percent power. One of them is running today. That’s why we’re at 20 percent. “From a technical standpoint, you can’t understand why there shouldn’t be any operational readiness.
With his visit to Mülheim, he wanted to “demystify” the debate, Scholz said. He thought he might make a lot of sense “if we take a look together so we can see he really exists, he’s here, he’s ready for action.” “And anyway, in the world we live in today, it’s quite easy to carry them. Only one person has to say: please send them away.
