Unstable gas supplies

Most of the information for this article is taken from Nick Holdsworth's piece in the Daily Telegraph on 28 Dec 06.

Belarus threatened to cut off gas supplies to Western Europe yesterday.

This happened after Russia's state-owned energy company, Gazprom, said it would double the price it charges Belarus for gas.

The dispute between Belarus and Russia increased our chances of energy difficulties during the winter.

About a fifth of Europe's gas imports would be threatened. The deputy PM of Belarus said his country was in a strong position because it controls the pipes which Russia uses. Gazprom wants a share in ownership of the pipeline company.

Watch the papers for further news.

Nigel Deacon / habitat21 website

Back to top