May 2019, Vol. 246, No. 5
Projects
Denmark Asks Nord Stream 2 to Assess 3rd Option for Pipeline
The Danish Energy Agency has requested an environmental assessment of a third route option for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Danish waters, a move that could delay the project to pump Russian gas to Europe.
The 765-mile (1,225-km) pipeline, now under construction, has come under fire from the United States and several eastern European, Nordic and Baltic Sea countries which fear it will increase the European Union’s reliance on Russian gas.
The project has two pending permit applications with Danish authorities, but the energy agency has asked that a third route secure an environmental assessment. The route would run in Denmark’s exclusive economic zone south of Bornholm island.
“It is an area that has become available after a demarcation negotiation with Poland has ended,” Danish Energy Agency spokesman Ture Falbe-Hansen told Reuters, adding it should be environmentally assessed by Denmark and neighboring states.
“It will take several months, but it’s not possible to say how long it’ll take,” he said.
Nord Stream 2 spokesman Jens Mueller said the company would evaluate the request from the Danish Energy Agency but did not say if it would delay the project.
Four countries – Finland, Sweden, Germany and Russia – have approved the pipeline’s construction. Denmark has held out. P&GJ
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