To help Germany cope up with the energy shortage, France has sent gas to Germany for the first time in “European solidarity”
To help Germany cope up with the energy shortage, France has sent gas to Germany for the first time in “European solidarity,” amidst increasing energy pressures.
The gas, delivered via a pipeline, is part of a deal between the countries to ease energy shortfalls after Russian stopped the supply of Gas through Nord Stream I to Europe. Although the new flow is less than 2% of Germany’s daily needs, it is a breather for Germany who is struggling to diversify its energy.
The West has accused Russia of using gas supplies as a weapon against the sanctions imposed by the West since on Russia for the invasion of Ukraine. The Nord Stream 1, Russia’s largest gas pipeline to Europe, was closed indefinitely in August for technical reasons, and a number of leaks were then discovered in September. However, the West has accused Russia of purposely stopping the gas supplies. The Nord Stream II, which was due to come on stream this year, was denied an operating license by Germany because of the invasion. Leaks have been found in this pipeline as well.
French grid operator – GRTgaz, said it would initially deliver 31 Gigawatt Hours (GWh) per day, via a pipeline from the French border village of Obergailbach. The maximum daily capacity of the new gas flow is 100 GWh.
Taking it to twitter, GRTgaz tweeted (translated to English), “[Press Release] Delivery of the first physical flows from France to Germany. As of today, GRTgaz makes it possible to transport gas to Germany at the #Obergailbach interconnection point (Moselle). https://grtgaz.com/medias/communiques-de-presse/premiers-flux-physiques-france-allemagne Original tweet in French:
🗞️[Communiqué de Presse] Livraison des premiers flux physiques depuis la France vers l’Allemagne
— GRTgaz (@GRTgaz) October 13, 2022
A compter de ce jour, GRTgaz rend possible le transport de gaz vers l’Allemagne au point d’interconnexion d’#Obergailbach (Moselle).
👉 https://t.co/HPG3JB5dtN pic.twitter.com/ZAW8CkE6Y8
Earlier, in an energy solidarity deal, Germany pledged to provide additional electricity to France when needed, and in exchange France agreed to help Germany with gas supplies.
Speaking on the occasion, the President of France – Emmanuel Macron said, “If we did not have European solidarity and an integrated, united market right now, we would have serious problems.”
France is less affected by Russia turning off the gas taps because most of its energy needs are fulfilled by Norway and through liquified natural gas supplies.
Earlier, Germany relied on Russia for 55% of its gas. It has reduced this to 35% and wants eventually to reduce imports to zero. Germany is also increasing its use of coal and extending the life of power stations which were due to shut – despite the negative environmental impact. Germany hopes to reduce gas usage by 2% by limiting the use of lighting and heating in public buildings this winter.
