(Adds details)
COPENHAGEN, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Denmark's energy agency said
on Wednesday it had approved the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline
project in Danish waters, removing the last major hurdle for the
Russian-led gas pipeline project that has divided the European
Union.
The Danish permit was the last one needed for the roughly
1,230-km-long (765-mile) Nord Stream 2 pipeline which has been
criticized by the United States and several eastern European,
Nordic and Baltic countries, which say the conduit will increase
Europe's reliance on Russian gas.
The Danish Energy Agency said in a statement that it had
granted a permit to Nord Stream 2 to construct a 147-km section
of the twin pipeline southeast of the Danish island Bornholm in
the Baltic Sea.
Gazprom has completed more than 87% of Nord Stream 2 but
since April 2017 has had pending applications with Danish
authorities to lay between 147 and 175 km via Danish waters.
Nord Stream 2 will have to wait another month before the
permit can be used, according to Danish law, which gives parties
the option to complain up to four weeks after the decision, the
DEA said.
A Nord Stream 2 spokesman said the project had been notified
and was pleased with the decision.
(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen, editing by Louise Heavens and
Deepa Babington)
