Some are already preparing everything, while others are still arguing about the rules: This is the impression currently being made around the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The Russian-European operator has been filling the newly built Baltic Sea pipeline from Russia to Western Pomerania since Monday. According to the project company of the same name, Nord Stream 2, this is the prerequisite for technical tests.
The Higher Regional Court (OLG) Düsseldorf ruled in August that Nord Stream 2 is subject to EU gas market regulation for the last few kilometers in German territory. This stipulates, for example, that the transport and production of natural gas must be separated from one another. Not trivial in this specific case: The Russian Gazprom Group is both a large gas producer and the largest financier of Nord Stream 2. But now the project company must first be certified as an independent network operator. Nord Stream 2 applied for this in June, but a decision is not expected for around three months. The regulation also demands that the pipeline becomes part of the unified gas market in this country.
The operator would like to save such effort: Nord Stream 2 has lodged a complaint with the Federal Court of Justice against the OLG ruling, as has now become known. The company sees itself at a disadvantage because the EU only decided in 2017 that interconnections from third countries are now also subject to regulation. An exception applies to pipelines that were already completed in 2019. By the deadline, Nord Stream 2 had already spent billions and laid pipes, but the construction was not yet finished.
Nord Stream 2 is to transport gas to Germany more cheaply and on a shorter route than the existing land transit via Ukraine. Russia is promoting this – especially in times of high prices and comparatively scarce storage facilities in Europe. Politically, however, the pipeline is controversial because states like Ukraine are likely to lose revenue. In addition, environmental groups criticize that Europe does not need even more climate-damaging infrastructure. After all, when gas is burned, greenhouse gases are produced – be it in heating systems, power plants or factories.