Lipatov: Energy cooperation is key for Russia-EU relations, State Duma Committee for Energy
Release Date: 2011-02-28
Yuri Lipatov, Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee for Energy, took part in the conference "Energy efficiency and energy safety in the frame of Russian-German cooperation in modernization" in Moscow on Feb 28. According to Lipatov, "Economic cooperation of Russia, Germany and the E.U. primarily concerns supply of energy resources to ensure Europe's energy safety. This was true 40 and 30 years ago and will remain so in the nearest future"."Today, Russia is implementing the principles of global energy safety and energy efficiency against the modern threats and challenges of the global energy market. Although the positions of Russia and Europe in this area were not always reciprocal due to different economic interests, their priority should be energy safety based on long-term agreements, contracts and their commitment to a common strategy of cooperation.
Russian-German relations in this area exemplify a very constructive cooperation. Today, Germany acts as Russia's reliable energy partner helping to promote the construction of Nord Stream to secure Europe's long-term energy supply. In Q4 2011, Russian gas will reach Germany near Greifswald and will further be transported via OPAL and NEL - the largest infrastructure sites in Germany created and operated jointly by Russia and Germany. Production of natural gas on Yuzhno-Russkoe field will be made through an exchange of assets by Russian and German companies while the produced gas will be supplied to Kaliningrad in Russia, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands and UK.
Another two important aspects of Russian-German cooperation concern electricity and modernization of Russian electricity and power machinebuilding.
Last week, I visited a new gas powered electrical generator assembly workshop in Rybinsk at Saturn - Gas Turbines. The new facility has been launched with GE Energy Jenbacher, Caterpillar, MTU Onsite Energy Gmbh. A framework agreement was recently signed by INTERRAO, General Electric and Russian Technologies for 75 MW gas turbine production.
Increasing energy efficiency has been the focus of federal and regional authorities in Russia in the last 2 years. A new law "On energy saving and increase of energy efficiency" has been adopted. In this regard, comparison of the Russian developments in this area with the German and E.U. experience in using renewables would be extremely beneficial for Russia".
| Type: | NORMAL |
| Company: | State Duma Committee for Energy |
| Country: | Russian Federation |