Flag of Austria. File photoVIENNA, June 20The decision of the Austrian authorities due to problems with gas supplies from Russia to return to work a coal-fired power plant, closed as part of the environmental agenda, was criticized by the opposition. On the eve of the crisis cabinet, headed by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, decided to revive the Mellach power plant in Styria in order to reduce the country's dependence on Russian gas. The Mellach CHP was the last coal-fired power plant in Austria until it was converted to gas and permanently mothballed in 2020.Budapest called the embargo on Russian gas a shot in the lungs for the EU»Sanctions are in effect, but, unfortunately, in the wrong direction. Like a boomerang. Russia itself has already found other buyers for its gas and oil. And if the minister from the Green Party wants «save» energy supply in Austria by running a coal-fired power plant, we know that our country is on the brink,» the ARA news agency quotes the commentary of the leader of the right-wing nationalist FPÖ party, Herbert Kickl. the ÖVP and the Greens can offer the Austrians, the politician believes. The decision was also criticized by the Social Democratic SPÖ, calling it an «act of desperation». «/>Peskov called the main problem of gas supply to the EU «The need to reactivate the coal-fired power plant in Mellach is caused solely by the inaction of the turquoise-green government. For several months, all we heard was that everything was allegedly set in motion to reduce dependence on Russian gas and ensure a stable energy supply to the population,» SPÖ said in an official statement. Earlier, the Austrian Energy Ministry announced that Gazprom had been notified of reduced gas supplies due to a technical defect. At the same time, the ministry noted that at present there are no signs of stopping supplies, and the supply of gas to customers is currently ensured. reduce consumption of Russian gas by 2027 with the support of the European Union.
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