After Russian gas jam, Germany gets aid from Middle Eastern state

Germany and Qatar have agreed on a long-term energy partnership to reduce dependence on Russian gas after the invasion of Ukraine, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Sunday. Habecku, who is on a visit to two locations in the Arab Gulf, met Qatar Emerin Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha. “The Day won a strong dynamic,” said Habec, adding that Amy had promised more support than Germany expected.

“Even though we may still need Russian gas this year, in the future it won't be like this. And that's just the beginning,” added Habec. Qatar is one of the three biggest exporters of liquid natural gas (LNG).

Renewable energy projects on the horizon

At a time that the minister's visit was widely expected to secure Germany's LNG supply, Habec said the deal also covered the development of renewable energy projects and measures to promote energy efficiency.

A German Economy Ministry spokesman in Berlin later confirmed that an agreement had been reached. The “companies that came to Qatar with the [Habeck] will now start contract negotiations with Qatar's side”, the spokesman said.

Berlin plans to bring LNG to Germany by loading it aboard ships. But there are no terminals to accept it because of the dependence inherited from pipeline gas. Germany has announced plans to build two new LNG terminals, but they are unlikely to end before 2026.

Next stop: United Arab Emirates

Habecek's trip now continues to the United Arab Emirates (EBA), which is being repositioned as a green hydrogen centre.

The United Arab Emirates can also help Germany achieve its long-term goal of transition to cleaner energy sources. Germany is considering ways to diversify its natural gas sources to make the country less dependent on Russia.

However, unlike the United States, which has banned Russian oil exports, Germany says it will take several months or more to diversify its supplies. Berlin has already suspended operating license for the new Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which would transport Russian natural gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea.

Russian gas demand remains high

However, German Energy Industry Association BDEW said last week that Russia's share of gas supply to Germany in the January-March period, which has not been officially published, remained at 40%.

A group of economists estimated last week that EU countries have transferred more than 13.3 billion euros (14.7 billion euros) to Russia for oil, natural gas and coal since the beginning of the war. / DW