Hamburg, Jan. 15, (dpa/GNA) – Germany’s Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has given the go-ahead for construction of Nord Stream 2, a controversial gas pipeline connecting the country to Russia, to immediately continue in German waters.
The BSH’s decision, announced in a statement on Friday, could however be appealed, for example by environmental groups.
The previous permit would have allowed work to continue in Germany’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from the end of May.
The nearly-complete Nord Stream 2 is set to double the amount of Russian natural gas carried to Germany via the Baltic Sea, with the aim of providing the country with affordable energy as it phases out coal and nuclear energy.
However, the United States argues that the pipeline will increase Europe’s energy dependence on Russia and has enforced sanctions on the project.
GNA