Danish Authorities Clear Nord Stream Line Two

The Nord Stream consortium has said that the Danish Energy Authority has granted it an operation permit for the second line of the pipeline.

The agency has approved the operation of the second line on the basis that it has fulfilled all the requirements necessary as set out in the construction permit previously granted by the agency. The consortium also said today that it will monitor the environmental impact in the Baltic Sea through a comprehensive environmental monitoring programme.

The permit furthers the operational plan of line two of the Nord Stream pipeline which is expected to begin transiting gas in the last quarter of this year. The second line will join the first line in transporting gas from Russia to Europe. The first line became operational in November of last year.

Nicklas Andersson, Head of Permitting for Denmark and Sweden for Nord Stream, yesterday welcomed the decision.

"We are happy to receive the second operations permit from the Danish Energy Agency today," he said. "Thanks to a smooth cooperation with the Danish authorities, as well as dedication to all details, Nord Stream has today taken one more step towards securing safe gas deliveries to Europe – including Denmark."

When operational, the second line will increase the transit capacity of the Nord Stream pipeline to 55 billion cubic metres a year.