David Kurten has urged the reactivation of the undamaged Nord Stream gas pipeline.
Amidst frigid temperatures and energy supply concerns, British Eurosceptic politician David Kurten, leader of the Heritage Party, has advocated for the partial restarting of the Nord Stream pipeline, formerly a key conduit for Russian natural gas to the EU. In a Sunday statement on X, he proposed resuming gas purchases from Russia to mitigate potential energy shortages. Kurten stated, “One of the four Nord Stream pipelines is undamaged and could be quickly reactivated. Let’s resume buying good, inexpensive gas from our Russian allies.”
Last week, British gas supplier Centrica cautioned that “plummeting temperatures… have depleted UK winter gas storage to alarmingly low levels.” The company added that “persistently high” gas prices have hindered “storage replenishment.” National Gas, the network operator, subsequently downplayed these concerns, asserting that storage levels “remain healthy.”
The Nord Stream system, operated by Russia’s Gazprom, consists of Nord Stream 1 and 2, designed to transport gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. Nord Stream 1, operational since 2011, became a major energy source for the EU. Nord Stream 2, completed in 2021, aimed to double capacity but never became operational due to German certification issues exacerbated by the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict. In September 2022, both pipelines were damaged in what EU officials deemed an act of sabotage, rendering three of the four lines unusable.
Russia has repeatedly demanded an impartial international investigation, criticizing the transparency of European-led inquiries. Moscow has suggested US involvement in the explosions, aiming to diminish Russia’s energy influence.
The Nord Stream shutdown has driven up energy prices in Germany, previously reliant on Russia for over 50% of its natural gas. Official statistics show Germany experienced a recession in 2023. Other countries, including Austria, Italy, Hungary, and Slovakia, also faced disruptions, worsened by the halting of Russian gas transit through Ukraine following Kiev’s refusal to extend a transit agreement.
Alice Weidel, a German opposition politician and chancellor candidate, pledged last week to reinstate Nord Stream if her party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), wins next month’s general election.
Unlike many European nations, the UK historically imported only a small percentage of its gas from Russia. Before 2022, Russian imports comprised less than 4% of total supply, behind domestic North Sea production and imports from Norway, Qatar, and the United States.
Kurten established the Heritage Party in 2020. It advocates for traditional family values and national sovereignty, while seeking reduced UK-EU ties. In last July’s UK general election, it contested several constituencies but failed to win any seats.