The Russian energy company Gazprom will stop supplying natural gas to Austria from November 16. This was stated by Austrian Prime Minister Karl Nehammer.
“Austria is well prepared for the refusal of Russian gas supply. Storage is provided, the supply is provided. The republic has a strategic reserve that can compensate for any lack. We cannot be blackmailed,” the Prime Minister wrote in x.
Nekhammer noted that the ömv oil and gas company, which was based in Vienna, informed him of the decision of Gazprom to stop deliveries and that such a situation was expected from the moment the conflict began in Ukraine.
He assured that this winter “no one will freeze from the cold and not a single household will have problems with heating.”
“The precautions were taken. The gas tank is full, and starting from tomorrow, sufficient gas supplies will be provided from other sources,” said Austrian Prime Minister.
The Chancellor specified that the country’s gas storage facilities are filled with 93 percent, which corresponds to the annual consumption. He added that Austria would not allow anyone to “blackmail”, including Russia.
Austrian gas company won the case against Gazprom
Meanwhile, the Austrian media write that the reason for the suspension of gas supplies by Russia was an arbitration case, excited ömv against Gazprom.
The Austrian company ömv previously announced the receipt of an arbitration decision made in accordance with the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) with respect to irregular gas supplies by Gazprom Export to Germany, which ultimately ceased in September 2022. Now ömv intends to recover 230 million euros from the Russian company, as well as interest and costs.