Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – International Relations
In news
In a development that could increase tensions between the USA and Germany, the association which is building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has said that it has resumed work on the controversial project.
Key takeaways
In 2015, Gazprom and 5 other European energy firms decided to build Nord Stream 2, valued at around $11 billion.
The 1,200 km pipeline will run from Ust-Luga in Russia to Greifswald in Germany.
It will carry 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
The under-construction pipeline will run along with the already-completed Nord Stream 1 system, and the two together will supply an aggregate of 110 billion cubic meters of gas to Germany per year.
Why is the pipeline controversial?
Nord Stream 2 has drawn criticism from the US, where it is believed that the project would increase Europe’s dependence on Russia for natural gas, thus strengthening its President.
Currently, EU countries already rely on Russia for 40% of their gas needs.
