First Nord Stream pipeline complete
Russia’s first direct gas link to the EU is in place, promising to meet around 10% of the bloc’s gas demand from next year
Nord Stream has finished laying the first of two pipelines that will carry 55 billion cubic metres a year (cm/y) of Russian natural gas to Europe. The company claims the link, from Russia direct to Germany across the Baltic Sea, could ensure Europe’s energy security for “at least 50 years”. The final segment of the first section of pipeline was laid on 4 May and Nord Stream expects it to be in commercial operation by October this year. “At a time when recent world events have led to increased concern about nuclear power and energy imports from North Africa, this infrastructure project takes on more importance for both Europe and Russia,” Matthias Warnig, Nord Stream’s managing director said.
Also in this section
13 March 2026
Brussels is again weighing a cap on gas prices amid the Hormuz crisis, but the measure could backfire by deterring the LNG cargoes Europe urgently needs
12 March 2026
Emergency oil stocks provide a last line of defence to oil market shocks, so the IEA’s unprecedented 400m bl release represents something of a double-edged sword
12 March 2026
LPG could rapidly expand access to clean cooking across Africa and prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from indoor air pollution each year, but infrastructure shortages and regulatory barriers are slowing investment and market growth
11 March 2026
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy
