"The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea could get a new lease of life. According to the government and industry, using part of the pipeline to import "green" hydrogen from Finland is being discussed. There are also proposals for the possible transport of Russian gas after the peace deal in Ukraine," the German edition of Handelsblatt reported.
Handelsblatt notes that reviving Nord Stream 2 - an issue that has caused a lot of trouble for Germany - has become the focus of discussion at the most inopportune time for all parties, less than 3 weeks before the Bundestag (Germany's federal parliament) elections.
The German government denies having any plans for the future of Nord Stream 2. However, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the German government does not want to leave the future of the gas pipeline up to chance.
Berlin is also under pressure to act after the court ruling. In Switzerland, the bankruptcy of Nord Stream 2 pipeline operator Nord Stream 2 AG has been postponed until May 9, forcing Nord Stream 2 AG to repay small creditors in the short term.
The Nord Stream 2 operator also presented to the court its plan to repair the damaged branch of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and continue supplying gas through both branches by 2030.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was built in 2021 despite US sanctions. However, the German government stopped the final stage before the pipeline was put into operation - operator certification - just before the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out.
On September 26, 2022, the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 explosions damaged three of the four branches of the pipeline.
Regarding the idea of transporting "green" hydrogen, Gazprom has noted that mixtures with a hydrogen content of up to 70% can be transported via both Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2.
However, Gazprom's business magazine notes that transporting hydrogen via this export gas pipeline carries the risk of violating long-term contractual obligations regarding gas quality, as well as the need for additional investments in the gas transport system.
