The dispute over Russian gas supplies has one more facet: Russia’s Gazprombank has rejected supply payments to Germany and Austria, Spiegel reported on Thursday. Thus, payments are from Gazprom Marketing & Trading, which refer to gas deliveries for April and May. The German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection announced in a press release that there were ambiguities in the processing of payments. This affects a “marginal amount of 0.2% of Russian import volumes to Europe”, according to the ministry.
Meanwhile, European energy companies are apparently preparing to meet the Kremlin’s demands to continue to be supplied with gas. In response to EU sanctions, Vladimir Putin called for payments to be made in rubles instead of euros. The “Financial Times” reported that, among other things, OMV wanted to open a ruble account with the Swiss Gazprombank. OMV, which already has an account with the gas company’s bank, had previously paid in euros, which were later converted into rubles. Bloomberg, citing an anonymous source at Gazprom, reports that ten European companies have already opened accounts with Gazprombank, four have already paid for supplies in rubles.
“rouble zone”
When asked about the latest developments, an OMV spokesperson echoed the group’s position over the past few days and weeks: “We are currently working on a sanctions-compliant solution.” The rejected payment does not affect the partially state-owned oil company.
Austria’s previous approach was not well received: former EU Council President Donald Tusk criticized the fact that not only Hungary, but also Austria and Germany want to pay for Russian gas in rubles and posted on Twitter : “Are you still in the euro zone or the ruble zone?”
increasingly important alternatives
Faced with indirect threats from Russia and rising gas prices, the question of alternatives becomes increasingly urgent. According to the Austrian Energy Agency (AEA), the Austrian Gas Price Index (ÖGPI) for May was 474.5% higher than in May 2021. The index reflects wholesale gas only, excluding taxes, fees and charges network for end consumers. In a study for the Ministry of Climate Protection, the EEA calculated that an outflow of Russian gas would not be possible until 2027. The prerequisite is the reduction of gas consumption by a quarter, imports from other countries and expansion of the biogas and green hydrogen. Representatives of the alternative energy industry now want to see their demands implemented quickly.
One of the most prominent demands, in addition to corresponding laws such as the Renewable Heat Law, is the reduction of environmental impact assessments and other approval procedures.
One might think that citizens’ initiatives that act against noise pollution, for example, prolong procedures or impede projects. “I cannot confirm the cliché. Since the year 2000, 94% of all wind energy projects have also been implemented”, says Martin Jaksch-Fliegenschnee of IG Windkraft. Slow implementation is more at the political level. On the one hand for financing, on the other hand at the administrative level. “There have been no subsidies for new wind farms since 2020,” he criticizes. Approval procedures must be stricter, he demands: “In Lower Austria, for example, the landscape is examined three times when wind power areas are approved. Once would be enough,” says Jaksch-Fliegenschnee.
Martina Prechtl-Grundnig of the Renewable Energy Umbrella Association is also calling for more staff and more experts and holds states accountable. These should set clear goals and identify more space.