Russian gas imports continue to energy firms, local councils

Photo: Depositphotos.com
Photo: Depositphotos.com

Russia may have stopped supplying Dutch gas trading company GasTerra but some energy companies are still importing Russian gas directly and indirectly, broadcaster NOS reported on Wednesday.

On Monday, GasTerra said that Gazprom was stopping supplies because the Dutch firm refused to pay in roubles, as Russia wants. However, some Russian gas is still being delivered to the Netherlands, although the economic affairs ministry is unable to say how much, NOS said.

Energy firms Uniper and RWE are both still importing directly from Russia, and Eneco has a contract with Gazprom subsidiary Wingas, NOS said. Esssent buys its gas via German parent Eon and it is unclear how much of that is of Russian origin, a spokesman told NOS.

Some Dutch local authorities and waterboards also have contracts with Gazprom which they are unwilling to cancel, although energy minister Rob Jetten has said he wants them to end or be amended by October 10.

GasTerra said that Russia’s decision to end supplies would affect some two billion cubic metres of gas which should have been imported before the contract was due to end. Last year, GasTerra bought in 44 cubic metres of gas, of which 24 billion cubic metres was imported.

Gazprom Energy NL is registered in the Netherlands which means it is not included on the sanctions list.

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