AP, Berlin

Mon Jul 11, 2022 04:42 PM Last update on: Mon Jul 11, 202204:46 PM

Amajor gas pipeline from Russia to Germany was shutting down for annualmaintenance on Monday amid German concern that Russia may not resume the flowof gas as scheduled.

TheNord Stream 1 pipeline, Germany's main source of Russian gas, is scheduled tobe out of action until July 21 for routine work that the operator says includes"testing of mechanical elements and automation systems." The operatorsaid the gas flow was reduced progressively starting at 6 a.m., German newsagency dpa reported.

Germanofficials are suspicious about Russia's intentions, particularly after Russia'sGazprom last month reduced the gas flow through Nord Stream 1 by 60%.Gazprom cited technical problems involving a gas turbine powering a compressorstation that partner Siemens Energy sent to Canada for maintenance and couldn'tbe returned because of sanctions imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Canadasaid over the weekend that it would allow the part to be delivered to Germany,citing the "very significant hardship" that the German economy wouldsuffer without a sufficient gas supply.

Germanpoliticians have dismissed Russia's technical explanation for last month'sreduction in gas flows through Nord Stream 1, saying the decision was apolitical gambit to sow uncertainty and push up prices.

GermanVice Chancellor Robert Habeck has said he suspects that Russia may cite"some little technical detail" as a reason not toresume gas deliveries through the pipeline after maintenance.

Germanyand the rest of Europe are scrambling to reduce their dependence on Russianenergy imports. Germany, which has Europe's biggest economy, has been gettingabout 35% of its gas to power industry and generate electricity from Russia.

Last month, Habeck activated the second phase ofGermany's three-stage emergency plan for natural gas supplies,warning that Europe's biggest economy faced a "crisis" and storagetargets for the winter were at risk.