German energy regulator BNetzA announced on Tuesday the suspension of the certification process of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline operator to supply Russian gas bypassing Ukraine – Nord Stream 2 AG – as an independent transmission operator .
Ukraine ,, Ukraingate ,, 16 , November , 2021 , Economy
“The Bundesnetzagentur today suspended the certification process for Nord Stream 2 AG as an independent transmission operator. After careful study of the documentation, the Bundesnetzagentur came to the conclusion that it will be possible to certify the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline operator only if this operator has been legally organized in accordance with German law, ”the regulator said.
Details
As stated, Nord Stream 2 AG, based in Zug (Switzerland), has decided not to change its existing legal form, but instead to establish a subsidiary in accordance with German law solely to manage the German part of the pipeline. This subsidiary should become the owner and operator of the German part of the pipeline.
“The certification procedure will be suspended until the main assets and human resources are transferred to the subsidiary and the Bundesnetzagentur can verify that the documentation re-submitted by the subsidiary as a new applicant is complete. Once these requirements are met, the Bundesnetzagentur will be able to renew its examination during the remaining four-month period established by law to prepare a draft decision and submit it to the European Commission for an opinion, as provided for in EU internal market legislation, “the regulator said.
The Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi) and the European Commission have been informed in advance. The parties involved in the certification were notified of the decision, which was made public.
Addition
The Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project has been completed and is awaiting certification from the authorities of Germany and the European Union.
On September 8, 2021, Nord Stream-2 AG (100% owned by Gazprom), the project company and the future Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline operator, submitted a full application for certification as an independent transmission system operator (ITO). of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline to the Federal Grid Agency of Germany. Naftogaz Ukrainy has indicated that ITO Nord Stream-2 AG will remain part of the Gazprom Group, a vertically integrated energy company that contradicts current European legislation.
The sharp rise in energy prices combined with shortfalls in recent weeks has sparked accusations by European officials that Russia is restricting supplies to put pressure on the authorities to certify the new pipeline.
In particular, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to increase gas supplies and said that Nord Stream 2 could be launched “the day after” such approval.
Source: Ukrgate
Tags: Germany confirms the participation of Naftogaz and GTS Operator in Nord Stream 2 . certification, ,, Zelensky called on the US Senate to impose sanctions against Nord Stream-2
