The Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been a hot topic of discussion in Europe in recent days.
German business newspaper Handelsblatt reported that German politics and related industries are considering the possibility of using the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to import green hydrogen from Finland. Nord Stream 2 is currently considered an important pipeline for transporting hydrogen across the Baltic Sea.
In addition, there are many speculations about whether the gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany can continue to transport Russian gas if a peace deal is reached in Ukraine.
The ability to reuse Nord Stream 2 to transport green hydrogen is in line with Europe's broader efforts to switch to renewable energy sources.
Finland has invested heavily in hydrogen production with the ambition of becoming the main supplier to Central Europe. In theory, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, although one branch was damaged after the 2022 explosion, could still be adjusted to transport hydrogen instead of Russian gas.
The technical feasibility of this conversion is still uncertain, but experts say that some sections of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline can still be used, helping to reduce the need to build a complete new infrastructure.
This idea also raises important questions about politics and management. The European Union (EU) and Germany are actively seeking to diversify energy sources, avoiding Russia's infrastructure.
Any initiative to reuse Nord Stream 2, including its use for hydrogen transportation, needs negotiations between European partners, especially in the context of the gas pipeline being strongly opposed before its construction.
In addition to discussions on hydrogen transportation, there are new speculations about the possibility of using the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to transport Russian gas to Germany and the European market.
The transportation of Russian gas will be controversial, especially considering the EU's continuous efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy.
However, some in the industry believe that if a peace agreement with Ukraine is reached, economic practicalism could lead to a reassessment of energy relations.
The German government has made official denials but there are many reports that Berlin does not want the future of Nord Stream 2 to depend on luck. The recent ruling adds pressure on Berlin to make a clear stance on the fate of Nord Stream 2. If no decision on the future of the pipeline is made before May 9, Nord Stream 2 AG - the pipeline operator - could go bankrupt.
Recently, the Danish Energy Agency has granted Nord Stream 2 AG a license to maintain the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Baltic Sea.
The Nord Stream 2 debate has been resumed at a particularly sensitive time, with the German parliamentary election taking place in the next three weeks.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline has long been a source of division in German politics, contributing to the country's tensions with the US and some European partners. Given the geopolitical consequences, neither side wants to be seen as supportive of the Nord Stream 2 restoration.
The German government denies having any plans for the future of Nord Stream 2. However, EU Today said that many sources familiar with the matter confirmed that discussions about the future of Nord Stream 2 are taking place in secret.
policymakers seem to be considering legal, economic and strategic factors before making any official statements.
