Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak gives a report at the 13th Russian-German Raw Materials Forum.
Speaking about Russia’s energy cooperation with Germany, Alexander Novak noted its strategic leading role in Europe. “Germany is Russia’s main partner in terms of fuel-and-energy cooperation in Europe. Our energy cooperation amounts to a strategic partnership. Last year, we marked the 50th anniversary of a truly historical event in our cooperation – on February 1, 1970, an agreement was signed on the supply of large-diameter pipes by West German companies, and loans from German banks in exchange for natural gas from the USSR. Thanks to this contract of the century, we laid the foundation for promising cooperation. Russia is making a big contribution to the energy security of Germany and Europe in general, meeting over a third of Germany’s energy requirements. By now, we have supplied Germany with over one trillion cubic metres of gas since the beginning of this cooperation,” Mr Novak emphasised.
Mr Novak believes natural gas will continue playing a big role in the future of the energy industry despite the current trends of decarbonisation and the “greening” of European energy. “Gas is a pure source of energy, and its consumption is growing both in advanced and developing countries. Its share in the energy balance is on the rise,” he said.
Nevertheless, the Russian Federation is focusing on the climate agenda, which is playing an increasing role in the global economy and energy.
“President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin noted in his statement that the destiny of our entire planet, development prospects for every country, and the wellbeing and quality of life of all people largely depend on the success of everyone’s efforts to counter climate change. We intend to continue increasing the utilisation of associated petroleum gas to over 95 percent and its further commercial use, reduce greenhouse emissions and develop renewable energy sources. Today, low-carbon energy sources – the sun, wind, hydro and atomic energy – already amount to 41 percent of our energy balance. Russia has set an ambitious goal to increase the share of these energy sources,” Mr Novak said.
Speaking about the development of new eco-friendly energy sources, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised the need to avoid discriminating against traditional energy sources that will still form the backbone of consumption in the near future.
“That said we also think that hydrogen is a promising energy source in the energy balance. For Russia, hydrogen generated energy is a natural product in the development of domestic science and technology. It continues a resource-saving approach that is traditional in this country. Russia’s strategic goal is to use its national potential in the production, export and use of hydrogen in various economic areas. The Government of the Russian Federation has endorsed a roadmap for hydrogen energy development, and has prepared a relevant draft concept,” he said.
Mr Novak noted that in implementing an energy policy, countries must take into account related trends in digital transformation, the development of artificial intelligence, robotisation, and work with Big Data. “Management processes will be much slower and more complicated, if not impossible, without digital transformation and the development of integrated systems,” Mr Novak said.
