Israel and Russia will begin cooperating in the renewable energy field,
officials decided on Wednesday at an annual working group meeting between the
Israeli Energy and Water Ministry and the Russian Energy Ministry.
As
part of the week-long meeting, Israeli Energy and Water Ministry director-general
Shaul Zemach hosted Russian Deputy Energy Minister Anton Inyutsyn and his
delegation, the Israeli ministry reported.
The goal of the group’s
assembly was to explore ways in which the two offices could enhance cooperation,
focusing specifically on the fields of natural gas, electricity, renewable
energy and energy conservation, according to the ministry. At the meeting, both
sides also reviewed the latest developments in the energy sectors of both Israel
and Russia.
“I welcome the execution of the working group, which will
contribute to the economic advancement of the two states and help them
strengthen ties between their business sectors,” said Energy and Water Minister
Uzi Landau.
“I have no doubt that cooperation with an energy superpower
of Russia’s size will give momentum to the development efforts of the gas and
energy market in Israel.”
Also present at the gathering were
representatives from the Russian natural gas government firm Gazprom, who
stressed that the company continued to have an interest in the exploration,
development and export industries of natural gas in Israel.
Earlier this
week, Gazprom, as well as several other natural gas giants from around the
world, lost a bid to Australian firm Woodside, which will be gaining a 30
percent stake in the Leviathan gas reservoir as part of a $2.5 billion deal. The
largest operator of gas and oil production in Australia, Woodside also
specializes in operating liquefied natural gas facilities, a mode for exporting
natural gas that the Israeli government has expressed hopes of
employing.
Outside the natural gas sector, however, the Russian and
Israeli energy officials agreed to establish a new working group that will
formulate a memorandum of understanding on renewable energy and energy
conservation partnerships, according to the ministry. The group will create a
work plan for cooperation and for examining the feasibility of establishing a
binational research fund for joint projects in these areas, the ministry said.
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