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| France sends Germany gas for first time amid Russia energy crisis | France sends Germany gas for first time amid Russia energy crisis |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The neighbouring countries struck up a deal to help one other shoulder the burden of the energy crisis that has hit Europe | The neighbouring countries struck up a deal to help one other shoulder the burden of the energy crisis that has hit Europe |
| France has sent gas to Germany for the first time in "European solidarity" amid increasing energy pressures. | France has sent gas to Germany for the first time in "European solidarity" amid increasing energy pressures. |
| The gas, delivered via a pipeline, is part of a deal between the countries to ease energy shortfalls after Russian turned off the taps to Europe. | The gas, delivered via a pipeline, is part of a deal between the countries to ease energy shortfalls after Russian turned off the taps to Europe. |
| Though the new flow is less than 2% of Germany's daily needs, it is welcome as Berlin battles to diversify its energy. | Though the new flow is less than 2% of Germany's daily needs, it is welcome as Berlin battles to diversify its energy. |
| Russia has been accused of using gas supplies as a weapon against the West since the invasion of Ukraine. | Russia has been accused of using gas supplies as a weapon against the West since the invasion of Ukraine. |
| French grid operator, GRTgaz, said it would initially deliver 31 gigawatt hours (GWh) per day, via a pipeline from the French border village of Obergailbach. | French grid operator, GRTgaz, said it would initially deliver 31 gigawatt hours (GWh) per day, via a pipeline from the French border village of Obergailbach. |
| The maximum daily capacity of the new gas flow is 100 GWh, it added in a statement. | The maximum daily capacity of the new gas flow is 100 GWh, it added in a statement. |
| Last month, in the energy solidarity deal, Germany pledged to provide additional electricity to France when needed, and in exchange France agreed to help Germany with gas supplies. | Last month, in the energy solidarity deal, Germany pledged to provide additional electricity to France when needed, and in exchange France agreed to help Germany with gas supplies. |
| "If we did not have European solidarity and an integrated, united market right now, we would have serious problems," said French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. | "If we did not have European solidarity and an integrated, united market right now, we would have serious problems," said French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. |
| France is less affected by Russia turning off the gas taps because most of its energy needs are fulfilled by Norway and through liquified natural gas supplies. | France is less affected by Russia turning off the gas taps because most of its energy needs are fulfilled by Norway and through liquified natural gas supplies. |
| Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February led to gas price hikes, and EU customers face record tariffs this winter. | Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February led to gas price hikes, and EU customers face record tariffs this winter. |
| Until then Germany relied on Russia for 55% of its gas. It has reduced this to 35% and wants eventually to reduce imports to zero. | Until then Germany relied on Russia for 55% of its gas. It has reduced this to 35% and wants eventually to reduce imports to zero. |
| Germany is also increasing its use of coal and extending the life of power stations which were due to shut - despite the negative environmental impact. | Germany is also increasing its use of coal and extending the life of power stations which were due to shut - despite the negative environmental impact. |
| The former German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said she did not regret relying on Russia as a major gas supplier during her 16 years in government. | The former German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said she did not regret relying on Russia as a major gas supplier during her 16 years in government. |
| The German government hopes to reduce gas usage by 2% by limiting the use of lighting and heating in public buildings this winter. | The German government hopes to reduce gas usage by 2% by limiting the use of lighting and heating in public buildings this winter. |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday the gas taps could still be turned on to Europe and that "the ball, as they say, is now in European Union's court". | Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday the gas taps could still be turned on to Europe and that "the ball, as they say, is now in European Union's court". |
| "We do not limit anyone in anything," he said, adding that Moscow was ready to supply additional volumes of gas in the autumn-winter period. | "We do not limit anyone in anything," he said, adding that Moscow was ready to supply additional volumes of gas in the autumn-winter period. |
| But despite Mr Putin's words, a resumption of gas supplies to Europe seems unlikely. | But despite Mr Putin's words, a resumption of gas supplies to Europe seems unlikely. |
| Nord Stream 1, Russia's largest gas pipeline to Europe, was closed indefinitely in August for technical reasons, and a number of leaks were then discovered in September. | |
| The Nord Stream 2 project, which had been due to come on stream this year, was denied an operating licence by Germany because of the invasion. Leaks have been found in this pipeline as well. | The Nord Stream 2 project, which had been due to come on stream this year, was denied an operating licence by Germany because of the invasion. Leaks have been found in this pipeline as well. |