Russia-Germany gas pipeline seeks new route in Baltic sea

The developers of a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany applied Monday for a third route south of Denmark’s Baltic Sea island of Bornholm, as they try to overcome objections from the country.

The Danish Energy Agency says Nord Stream 2 has applied for an alternative route in the seas south-east of Bornholm in Denmark’s exclusive economic zone. It could not say when a permit might be granted but said only one can be granted.

The Switzerland-based Nord Stream 2 confirmed it had been asked to submit an application for another route.

It said in a statement that asking for a third route option “can only be seen as a deliberate attempt to delay the project’s completion,” adding European consumers could lose as much as “at least 20 million euros” a day.

The planned Baltic pipeline will transport natural gas via a 1,200-kilometer (746-mile) pipeline from Russia to Europe. It has come under fire from the United States and some European countries claiming it could increase Europe’s dependence on Russia as a supplier of energy.

Washington, which wants to sell its liquefied natural gas to Europe, has threatened sanctions against companies involved in the undersea pipeline.

While it is wholly owned by Russian gas giant Gazprom, half of the project’s 8 billion euro ($9 billion) cost is covered by five European energy and chemicals companies including Shell, BASF and ENGIE.

Russia, Finland, Sweden and Germany have already issued permits.