Baltic States – CIS, Energy, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Press-release
International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Wednesday, 18.06.2025, 16:22
Nord Stream project completes public participation phase in Baltic Sea Region
Print version |
|---|
In March 2009, Nord Stream as the project developer provided the Baltic Sea countries with the transboundary environmental report (‘Espoo Report’) in the nine languages of the Baltic Sea states and English. According to the United Nations Espoo Convention, countries under the jurisdiction of which a proposed activity is envisaged must inform neighbouring countries about potential transboundary environmental impacts. Nord Stream’s Espoo Report follows intensive dialogue with authorities throughout the Baltic Sea region to ensure that the pipeline is safe, environmentally sound and in line with all national and international requirements.
National permits to build and operate the pipeline are required from the countries through which waters the Nord Stream pipeline will pass: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. These countries involved each other and the other Baltic Sea countries on the potential transboundary impacts as part of the Espoo process.
As a result of the public participation period from March to June, statements relating to the project were submitted to the competent authorities from associations, authorities or private bodies in all countries of the Baltic Sea region. These statements have been exchanged among the countries. The authorities of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany will now discuss the remaining issues with Nord Stream and will consider the effects of the pipeline in the national permit decisions.
Comprehensive base for environmental assessment
The findings presented in the Espoo report are the result of detailed surveys and desk studies dating back to 1997 of the project’s potential environmental and socio-economic effects. Nord Stream has conducted 40,000 kilometres of seabed surveys along possible routes. This research has enabled the Nord Stream consortium to propose a safe and environmentally sound route, avoiding wherever possible environmentally sensitive sites, cultural heritage and munitions.
The international consultation processes began in spring 2006 and as of today, 16 meetings with officials from the nine Baltic Sea countries have been held. Nord Stream looks forward to further cooperation with the authorities to resolve outstanding issues over the summer, with a view to permits being granted before the end of 2009. Construction of the 1,220 km pipeline is scheduled to start in early 2010.
About Nord StreamNord Stream is a natural gas pipeline that will link Russia and the European Union via the Baltic Sea. The European Union’s gas imports were 314 billion cubic metres (bcm) in 2005 and are projected to grow by almost 200 bcm to 509 bcm per year by 2025 (Source: European Commission/DG-TREN, 2007). Nord Stream will meet about 25 per cent of this additional requirement by connecting the European gas pipeline network to the world’s largest gas reserves. The project will be an important contribution to long-term security of supply and a milestone of the energy partnership between the European Union and Russia.
Nord Stream AG plans to have the first of two parallel pipelines operational in 2011. Each line is approximately 1,220 kilometres long, providing a transport capacity of some 27.5 bcm per year. Full capacity of about 55 bcm per year will be reached in the second phase, when the second line goes on stream.
Nord Stream AG is an international joint venture established for the planning, construction and subsequent operation of the new offshore gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea. OAO Gazprom holds a 51 per cent stake in the joint venture. BASF/Wintershall Holding AG and E.ON Ruhrgas AG hold 20 per cent each, and N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie has a 9 per cent stake.
The UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) sets out the obligations of parties to assess the environmental impact of certain activities at an early stage of planning. It also lays down the general obligation of states to notify and consult each other on all major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant environmental impact across national borders. The Espoo Convention was opened for signature in Espoo (Finland) on 25 February 1991 and came into force on 10 September 1997. Nord Stream’s process under the Espoo Convention has started in April 2006. |
«The Baltic Course» Is Sold and Stays in Business!
