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HAMBURG (GERMANY), JUL 2 (DPA/EP)
The president of the Federal Agency for Energy Networks of Germany, Klaus Mueller, suspects that the next temporary closure of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which Russia usually starts annually on July 11 to examine the state of the facilities, may end up being the prelude to a complete suspension in retaliation for international sanctions linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The next routine maintenance of the gas pipeline could “become a political maintenance that lasts longer,” Mueller warned in comments to the media of the Fuenke conglomerate.
He also called on the population to reduce their energy consumption. If the flow of gas from Russia is blocked “for a longer period of time, we have to talk more seriously about saving,” he said.
The twelve weeks remaining before the start of the heating season should be used to make preparations, added the head of the body that oversees the energy supply in Germany.
The Economy Minister, Robert Habeck, had already expressed this past Thursday that he fears that Russia will stop supplying gas through the gas pipeline beyond the ten days that Russia usually takes to carry out the inspection.
Mueller has also warned of the danger of a drastic increase in gas prices due to Russia, which has already considerably reduced supply: “Because of what (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is giving us with Nord Stream 1, can triple.” In addition, he has urged that more facilities be offered to citizens: “Many people cannot cope with additional burdens, even if they are minimal.”
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