Dhe gas leaks on the two Baltic Sea pipelines Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 show how vulnerable the energy structure in Europe is. Since no more Russian natural gas came to Germany through the two pipelines, their failure will not change the gas supply in this country in the short term. The consequences of the suspected sabotage thus have a particularly long-term effect on the state of the energy network. To what extent can attacks hit other lines and systems? And what are the consequences of failures?
Norway is currently a major supplier of pipeline gas. From there several lines run through the North Sea to England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. In Germany, the Europipe 1 meets the mainland in Dornum in East Frisia. “Norway is currently the most important supplier of pipeline gas with several pipelines that are central to the supply of Europe,” says David Schlund, researcher at the Energy Economics Institute at the University of Cologne (EWI). In addition to Norway, the import pipelines from Algeria to Spain and Italy and from Azerbaijan via Turkey to Europe are also important.
Alternatives to Russia found
Schlund sees consequences for the energy market from the gas leaks, even if the supplies were already stopped. “Uncertainty has grown, but the supply situation is not changing, since no more gas has come through the Nord Stream pipelines lately anyway.”
Image: FAZ
After the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, European energy companies quickly turned to other sources and avenues to become less dependent on Russian supplies. Norway’s share of natural gas imports to the European Union and Great Britain was almost 30 percent in the first half of the year, similar to previous years. Shipments from Algeria or Azerbaijan were less than 10 percent over the period.
Above all, the share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has increased: For this purpose, the gas is liquefied and transported to Europe on ships. Germany does not yet have an LNG terminal, but is currently building some facilities. So far, liquid gas has mainly reached Germany via Dutch and Belgian ports. In September, according to the Ensog portal, the LNG share in the EU was 35 percent by the middle of the month, ahead of North Sea deliveries with 28 percent and deliveries from North Africa with 12 percent.
Gas deliveries are now more widely distributed than last year, when Russia was responsible for around half. Gas supply lines criss-cross Europe almost like a spider’s web. The energy economist Lion Hirth from the Berlin Hertie School also points to the Norwegian plants. “The North Sea is full of pipelines – oil, but also gas,” he says. Normally, a plant or pipeline failure would not be a major problem and could be compensated for. But this winter, every failure affects the price of gas. Every megawatt hour that does not come must be saved. “We no longer have a safety buffer,” he warns. “Every disruption, every accident, every attack has a direct impact.”
