the reason for the refusal is something that the pipeline construction was not finished until may 23, 2019. The regulator’s decision can be appealed in court within one month.
Now Russia will be able to fill the pipeline, only half, because the Directive restricts the volume of gas flow for the owners of transport infrastructure, in this case, pipeline. Under the Russian laws the export of natural gas can be accomplished only by “Gazprom”, which owns the “Nord stream-2”.
From the point of view of the Deputy head of the national energy security Fund Alexei Grivach, the decision of the German regulator, unfair, and absurd amendments to the Directive whose sole purpose was to create problems “Nord stream 2”, despite the fact that the regulation changed after the implementation of the greater part of the investment. “It’s like changing the rules during the game,” – said the expert.
According to him, the decision is likely to be challenged, however, as the application of the amendments of the Directive. This legal process has been started by operator last year. After the pipeline is completed, the operator will consult with the regulator about the terms of commissioning. Law enforcement practice in the sphere is missing, so there is a lot of uncertainty and, accordingly, the field for maneuver among all participants of the process, said Alexey Grivach.
“and the stream-2” includes two threads of a gas pipeline from Russia through the Baltic sea to Germany. Its total capacity will be 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. It is planned that the pipeline will be launched later this or early 2021.
