MOSCOW:  Gazprom, a key Russian natural gas pipeline,  has announced that it would stop supplies to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline between August 31 and September 2.

The Russian energy giant on Friday said that the move was down to routine maintenance. The latest shutdown will come a month after Gazprom restored natural gas supply through the pipeline to only a fifth of its capacity after an earlier shutoff for maintenance.

Gas supply from Gazprom to Germany had already been significantly reduced, with the company blaming a missing turbine for the drop. Due to Western sanctions against Moscow, the turbine that had been shipped to Canada for repairs was delayed there.

German officials have insisted time and time again that Moscow was trying to punish Berlin for taking a position on the war in the Ukraine and for putting sanctions on Russia with this action. 

Nearly 33 million cubic metres of natural gas should be provided each day following the most recent maintenance work. This is equivalent to 20% of the daily maximum output.

The lone operational turbine at the Portovaya compressor station will be inspected and overhauled during the three days of maintenance, according to Gazprom. This will be accomplished in collaboration with experts from Siemens Energy in Germany.

Siemens Energy declined to comment on the announcement when questioned.

The Federal Network Agency and the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action are all actively monitoring the situation, a representative for the Federal Network Agency said on Friday night.

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