Every year, gas taps are shut down for up to 14 days along the 1,220-kilometer-long Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline. However, experts in Europe are now worried that Russia will not turn on the gas again.

"Must prepare for the worst"

In Germany, they are preparing for a nightmare scenario that could mean that they need to introduce rationing of gas and increased energy prices already this winter.

- Anything can happen.

It could be that you put on more gas than before, or nothing will come.

We must prepare for the worst, says German Finance Minister Robert Habeck to the channel Deutschlandfunk.

Germany is a major importer of Russian gas and before the invasion of Ukraine, Germany received about 55 percent of its gas from Russia.

The share has now fallen to about 40 percent.

In Germany, households and industries have already been urged to save as much energy as possible.

The country is also trying to replenish its reserves for the winter until 1 November.

Photo: Jens Buettner / EPA

For the past few weeks, the Russian gas company Gazprom has gradually cut off gas supplies to Nord Stream 1. On June 14, the company announced that it would reduce gas supplies by a further 40 percent.

The reason is stated to be that they lack important repair parts from German Siemens and Canadian turbines.

Something Habeck believes that Russia uses as an "excuse" to be able to attack Germany's economy.  

On Sunday, therefore, Canada announced that it is making an exception to the sanctions against Russia and sending back refurbished turbines that are necessary to maintain the flow in the gas pipeline.

The decision is strongly criticized by Ukraine's energy and foreign ministers as it goes against the decision to maintain international pressure on Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that continued sanctions against the country risk leading to catastrophic price increases in the energy market - something that will affect households across Europe.

Photo: Jens Buettner / EPA

Since the war began in February, many European countries have wanted to free themselves completely from dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

This includes Germany, which is now struggling to replenish its gas reserves for the winter in the event that Russia decides to shut off the supply completely.

A scenario that the whole of Europe should prepare for, according to the IEA's head and energy expert Fatih Birol. 

- The closer we get to winter, the better we understand Russia's intentions, he says.