I am not sure if it is just a bit.
Gas supply in Europe is having issues:
- Gas supply from Algeria via Morocco is closed.
- Russia is sending less gas as usual (and profiting from it).
Demand from gas in Europe remains the almost the same, but supply isn't.
- Force long-term contracts to be tied to spot prices instead of oil.
- Do not fill storage assuming lower prices in autumn.
- Intentionally delay certification of a pipeline from one of your main suppliers.
- Act very surprised when the aforementioned supplier does nothing to stop spot prices explosion due to the external circumstances and even fans the flames a bit.
- Make questionable remarks which accelerate the rise of gas prices even further.
- Demand (sic!) from the supplier additional gas not covered by existing contracts, even though it's clearly not in his interest.
Do you really think that Nord Stream 2 AG lawyers are that stupid? Note that the application was filled in June 2021, BNetzA begun certification procedures in September 2021, and only almost two months later (suddenly!) they have found that you need a German company. Ok, let's say that BNetzA indeed was simply not familiar enough with the new legislation passed by EP in May 2019 and by Bundestag in November 2019 (sure, you need almost two whole years to read it reaaally carefully). Also let's forget that those changes to the Third Energy Package were effectively aimed only at Nord Stream 2. And while we at it, also let's forget about the really questionable Baerbock's declarations (Minister for Foreign Affairs). But now we have an official statement from BNetzA what in the best case scenario certification will not end until summer of 2022. In other words, it will take the maximum possible time allowed by the procedures, meaning that the properly working pipeline will not be used for almost a whole year.
So if this does not look to like an intentional delay, then I don't know what to say.
> Do you really think that Nord Stream 2 AG lawyers are that stupid?
Nord Stream 2 AG is a subsidiary of state-owned Gazprom. They probably think that if they put enough political pressure, they could negotiate an exception.
Finland also has the unique problem of most of the imported electricity having to come through Sweden and the national grid of Sweden is not up to the task (one of the reasons for really high electricity prices in Finland at the moment)
Demand from gas in Europe remains the almost the same, but supply isn't.