State-owned gas giant Uniper has signed a significant 15-year contract with Norway’s Equinor to bolster Germany’s natural gas supply starting in 2027.

Germany has taken a major step in securing its natural gas supply by signing a long-term deal with Norwegian energy company Equinor. Under the agreement, Uniper, one of Europe’s leading gas distributors and currently state-owned, will receive more than 30 terawatt-hours (TWh) of natural gas annually from 2027 to 2041. This volume is approximately equivalent to the annual consumption of over two million German households.

The natural gas will be transported via existing pipelines, further strengthening Germany’s reliance on Norway as its primary supplier. Norway currently accounts for 44% of Germany’s gas imports, displacing Russia as a major provider in the wake of the 2022 energy crisis. Uniper CEO Michael Lewis emphasized that the agreement not only ensures long-term energy security but also deepens cooperation with Equinor to develop lower-emission gas solutions for the German market.

Norwegian energy policy remains a point of contention within Europe. Despite EU calls to restrict oil and gas exploration in environmentally sensitive areas like the Arctic, Norway has committed to maintaining its production levels through at least 2035 and plans to proceed with drilling in the Barents Sea. This stance highlights Norway’s increasing role as a critical energy supplier for both Germany and broader Europe amid global energy challenges.