The head of the Association of Industrialists of Austria Georg Knill believes that the Ministry of Energy of the republic has not adequately prepared for the potential termination of the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine from 2025.
„When we talk about the gas supply of this country in the coming years, I am not at all calm here. Energy Minister Leonor Gevesler reacted too late, or rather did not react at all, the situation was simply allowed to happen,” he said at a press conference in Vienna.
In his words, the minister asked the enterprises to find alternative suppliers of energy resources. "This is not the energy policy we expected. Industry will need gas as an energy source for many years to come, he said. Knill believes that the authorities should draw up a detailed diversification plan that will not allow Austria to become dependent on one supplier.
In June 2018, an agreement was signed to extend the existing contract between Gazprom Export LLC and OMV Gas Marketing & Trading GmbH for the supply of Russian natural gas to Austria until 2040. Previously, the contract was valid until 2028. The contract is based on the principle “take or pay“, i.e. OMV undertakes to transfer money even if it does not actually take over the gas.
Austria has repeatedly stated its intention to give up Russian gas. At the same time, its share in the republic's gas imports in May this year amounted to 90%.
Transit through Ukraine remains the only route for supplies of Russian gas to the countries of Western and Central Europe. Pumping on Nord Stream has completely stopped. Gas supplies via Turk Stream and "Blue Stream" intended for Turkey and the countries of Southern and South-Eastern Europe.