Vienna: Russia’s state-owned natural gas company Gazprom will end its natural gas deliveries to Austria this weekend, as the country’s largest energy supplier, OMV, announced. The termination of supplies from Gazprom comes amid a backdrop of ongoing contractual disputes and international arbitration rulings.
According to Emirates News Agency, OMV reported that Gazprom will cease gas supplies on Saturday. In response to this development, the Austrian energy company has indicated that it was prepared for such an eventuality. Austria will continue to source its gas imports from Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer addressed the situation, emphasizing the country’s preparedness and secure alternative fuel sources. He reassured the public by stating, “No one will freeze,” highlighting the full capacity of Austria’s gas storage facilities and the ability to obtain gas from other regions.
The cessation of Russian gas deliveries to Austria follows an
arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce, which awarded OMV approximately £230 million ($242 million) in a contractual dispute with Gazprom. Subsequently, OMV announced it would withhold payments to Gazprom until the Russian company compensates with an equivalent amount of gas.
