Why Germany can't do without Russian gas supplies 

The country currently relies on Russia’s Gazprom for more than half its gas, and demand is set to grow as it phases out nuclear and coal-fired electricity

The start of the Nord Stream pipeline construction in Portovaya Bay, 170km north-west of St Petersburg, Russia  in April 2010. 

Germany’s economy minister said the country could do without Russian gas. But that won’t be easy.

Europe’s industrial powerhouse currently relies on Russia’s Gazprom for more than half its gas.