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Central Europe gas flows changed after Ukraine transit ends

Central European gas flows have actually adapted to the stop of Russian materials through Ukraine on Jan. 1, as increased shipments to the area from Germany and Italy make up the shortage, information from network operators showed on Monday.

Austria got gas through Slovakia up until the year-end even though its contracted materials from Russian gas giant Gazprom had stopped in November.

Austrian Grid Management stated in a daily report on Monday the nation enhanced imports from Germany and Italy when circulations from Slovakia were stopped following the expiration of a transit arrangement between Russia and Ukraine that Kyiv refused to extend.

Gas likewise stopped flowing through Slovakia and on to the Czech Republic, while Slovakia has actually made use of a connection with Hungary as its only source of imports up until now this year.

Shipments from Gazprom for Slovakia's own usage under a. long-term contract with the main Slovak provider SPP, which. covers around two thirds of the Slovak market, also stopped as. the Ukraine transit ended.

Slovak gas transmission network operator Eustream data. revealed elections for daily circulations to Slovakia from Hungary were. at 87 gigawatt hours (GWh) for Monday, the highest considering that the. start of January.

This was listed below peak levels around 100 GWh in late 2024, however. the absence of exports to Austria and the Czech Republic showed. that the volumes were staying in Slovakia.

SPP has stated the Hungarian route, used to bring gas from. Russia through the TurkStream pipeline, was a crucial. alternative in absence of the Ukraine flows.

It has actually stated, however, that its preferred alternative would. be through Germany and on to the Czech Republic or Austria. Network data revealed that so far this path has not been utilized.

It did not respond to request for comment on Monday.

The Czech Republic, whose importers have no direct agreements. with Gazprom, has actually switched back to taking gas from the German. network.

The Czechs nearly completely stopped utilizing Russian gas in. 2023, however imports from the east rose in 2024, which market. participants credited to a German levy on transit which made. shipping expenses from the west greater.

The levy was cancelled for transit since Jan. 1, reducing the. switch to western materials.

Data from transmission system operator NET4GAS revealed. elections for 177 gigwatthours of gas from Germany to the. Czech Republic on Monday, and no gas leaving the nation.

(source: Reuters)