Steam coal imports have already fell sharply from 43 million mt back in 2016 as the share of hard coal in the German power mix declined.

The changes to the CAATSA guidance is the latest move by the US to put pressure on companies involved in building both Nord Stream 2 and the TurkStream extension in Bulgaria and Serbia into Hungary.

"Russia and Germany should take advantage of years of their successful partnership in the oil and gas industry to closely cooperate in the development of hydrogen, climate-friendly technologies for the future," the proposal sent to relevant ministries of both countries said.

Germany has put the worst of the impact of the coronavirus lockdown behind it: orders for industrial goods rose 10.4% in May

Renewable energies accounted for 55.8 percent of Germany’s net electricity generation

Just 160 km (99 miles) of Nord Stream 2 is left to lay in Danish waters out of the total 2,460 km length after the US first implemented sanctions in December.

The government intends to make German power generation free of hard coal by 2033.

"Natural gas can make a vital contribution to economic recovery in Germany and Europe – without compromising climate protection targets," Wintershall Dea board member Thilo Wieland said June 29.

Amprion (Germany) intends to invest €15.2bn by 2028, compared with €5.2bn in 2009-2019.

Germany intends to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990, to cut primary energy consumption by 30% by 2030 compared to 2008 and to increase the share of renewables in gross final energy consumption to 30% by 2030.