The EU section of Russia's planned 55 Bcm/year Nord Stream 2 gas link to Germany could face tariff regulation from March at the latest after the European Parliament signed off changes to the EU's gas directive on Thursday.

According to the latest figures published by Energy Charts from German solar research institute Fraunhofer ISE, renewable energy accounted for 54.45% of net electricity generation in March.

EnBW on Thursday unveiled a 12-billion euro ($13.5 billion) investment plan and said it was close to acquiring French renewable group Valeco, as the German utility continues its strategy of moving away from fossil fuels.

The parallel construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and a sea terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) will reduce Germany’s dependence on individual countries for gas, economy and energy minister Peter Altmaier said

Germany's Wintershall -- which is set to complete its merger with upstream company DEA by the end of June -- plans to expand its projects in Russia, which will remain its core production region post-merger, its CEO Mario Mehren said Thursday.

OGJ - Stephen Blank, senior fellow for Russia at the American Foreign Policy Council, said, “Nord Stream 2 clearly is a threat to Europe, which is why the Trump administration opposes it. We have now threatened that if Nord Stream 2 is built, the US will impose sanctions not just on the project, but also on the contractors.”

Renewable energy had a 64.8% share of electricity generation, according to solar research institute Fraunhofer ISE. The achievement was mainly due to strong production from wind facilities.

GAZPROM - Particular attention at the meeting was paid to the progress of the Nord Stream 2 project. It was stressed that pipelaying works in the Baltic Sea were going according to schedule.

REUTERS - Russia's planned Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline direct to Germany is set to face EU market rules after negotiators agreed informally to change the EU's gas directive to apply to offshore gas links, the European Commission said late Tuesday.

REUTERS - Nord Stream 2 has divided the EU, with German opposition to the new draft rules stalling discussions since it was proposed by the EU executive in November 2017.