The green light from the German network agency is one of the final steps before the commissioning of the submarine pipeline that will allow Russian gas to circulate in the European network, in the midst of soaring gas prices in the countries of the EU.

However, the approval of Nord Stream 2 "is only possible if the operator is organized under a legal form under German law", recalled the regulator in an announcement Tuesday.

To this end, the operator of Nord Stream 2, based in Zug, Switzerland, has set out to create a subsidiary under German law which will own and operate the German section of the pipeline.

Nord Stream 2 Patricio ARANA AFP

But the certification process will remain suspended until the Swiss company has completed transferring "essential assets and human resources" to its German branch, the networks agency decided.

The regulator's decision has the effect of interrupting the approval procedure, which must take place within four months, for a site that has already been completed and which has begun to be filled on the Russian side.

In the wake of this announcement, gas prices on the European market rose 10%, at a time when Europe is already experiencing a surge in the prices of this energy source.

Russia has denied fueling this increase to wrest contracts or accelerate the commissioning of Nord Stream 2.

Nord Stream AG has indicated that it is in the process of bringing itself into compliance with German law through the creation of its subsidiary: "our company is taking this step to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations," a spokesperson said in a message. to AFP.

The company explains that it cannot "comment on the impact on the start date of pipeline operations", which could be delayed.

The Kremlin had called in September for the commissioning "as soon as possible" of Nord Stream 2, wishing to see gas flow there this year.

- Political discord -

Operated by the Russian giant Gazprom, the project was co-financed by five European energy groups (OMV, Engie, Wintershall Dea, Uniper, Shell).

For years, Nord Stream 2 opposed Washington and Berlin, the main beneficiary of the project, but also the Europeans between them, as well as Russia and Ukraine.

The German government, which has defended tooth and nail its construction, assured Tuesday that the decision of its regulator was linked to "purely regulatory questions" on a point of "company law", according to a statement to AFP from the ministry economy.

This suspension "does not affect the appreciation" carried by Germany on Nord Stream 2, assures this source.

The tube should make it possible to double Russian gas deliveries to Germany by bypassing Ukraine, until then a traditional transit country, at odds with Moscow since 2014.

A sign announcing the construction site of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, in Lubmin in north-eastern Germany, September 7, 2021 Odd ANDERSEN AFP / Archives

It risks depriving Kiev of at least $ 1.5 billion per year affected for the transit of Russian gas through its territory.

The 1,230 km long pipeline crossing the Baltic Sea, with a capacity of 55 billion m3 per year, has started to be supplied with gas.

Ukraine has assured that it will "fight to the end" to prevent its commissioning, seeing it as a "dangerous geopolitical weapon" of Moscow.

The subject also divides the future German coalition between SPD (social democrat), environmentalist and FDP (liberal).

The center-left party of the next Chancellor Olaf Scholz supports the utility of the gas pipeline for the country in the midst of abandoning nuclear energy, and soon coal.

On the contrary, the Greens are strongly opposed to it.

"One always has the impression that Gazprom does not take German and European legislation seriously", criticized Tuesday the vice-president of their parliamentary group, Oliver Krischer, welcoming the decision of the regulator.

"The commissioning of the gas pipeline will thus be clearly postponed and will probably play no role this winter," he said in an interview with the daily Rheinische Post.

© 2021 AFP