"Due to the fact that the Nord Stream 2 offshore gas pipeline is currently not in use, and taking into account the implementation of gas supply for consumers in northwest Russia, Gazprom has decided to use the excess onshore gas transmission capacity of Nord Stream 2 for the development of gas supply to the regions of northwest Russia," Gazprom said in a statement.

19 GW of new wind projects were financed in the European Union, well below the required rate of 32 GW/year to meet the current 40% renewable energy targets by 2030.

In 2021, GHG emissions from the power sector rose by more than 8.3%, as the economic recovery fuelled the electricity demand - it returned to its 2019 level - and as the surge in European gas prices incited power generation groups to shift from gas to coal.

Gas distributors in Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia are planning to open rouble accounts at Gazprombank in Switzerland in order to satisfy a Russian requirement for payments in its own currency

"To pay in rubles -- if this is not foreseen in the contract -- is a breach of our sanctions. We have about 97% of all contracts that explicitly stipulate payments in euros or dollars," she said.

An oil price cap is one of a number of proposals being discussed as EU ambassadors prepare for talks in coming days about more sanctions on Moscow — the sixth such package since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine two months ago.

"As of the end of the business day on April 26, Gazprom Export had not received payments for gas supplies in April from Bulgargaz (Bulgaria) and PGNiG (Poland) in rubles," Gazprom said in a statement.

Traders are keeping a close watch on whether a resolution can be found on the Kremlin’s demand to be paid in rubles for its gas. European Union lawyers have said the new mechanism violates existing sanctions, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that flows could be cut if the terms aren’t met.

Shipments of Russian gas via the Ukrainian network have continued unaffected since Moscow's invasion on Feb. 24.

"EU companies can ask their Russian counterparts to fulfil their contractual obligations in the same manner as before the adoption of the decree, ie. by depositing the due amount in euros or dollars," the EC said in the document.