Energy supply has become a matter of concern for many European nations after problems last winter led to shortages and fears that consumers may have to go without. "The issue of energy security is on the table of every energy minister, as well as foreign, finance, and industry ministers across Europe," said EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs recently. "Nabucco concretely contributes to our energy security," he added. The G8 group of the world's eight most-industrialized nations is due to meet in St Petersburg this month (July), and energy issues are due to be the hot topic. Critics have accused Russia of using energy supplies as a political tool to further its influence, especially with countries which were once members of the Soviet Union. Despite Russia's assurances that its motives are business driven, many nations want to secure alternative supplies and energy sources. The 3,300-km long Nabucco pipeline will bring gas from the Caspian region, with much of its supplies coming from Azerbaijan. If work begins on schedule in 2008, the pipeline is expected to start transporting gas by 2011; it will eventually have a capacity of 30bn cum/yr. However, its planning has not been without controversy, and Russia and its main gas company Gazprom, which is one of Europe's biggest suppliers, want to set up their own new supply routes that do not by-pass their territories or companies. Mr Piebalgs is keen to minimize any threat of a rift between Russia and Europe by saying that there were enough end users to comfortably account for the extra supplies. "The EU will need an additional 200-300bn cum/yr in 25 years, so we have enough demand for at least seven Nabuccos," he said.