The issues of protecting, preserving and restoring the Arctic environment, climate research and strengthening environmental security were discussed on the first day of the international forum "Russia's Chairmanship in the Arctic Council – an environmental agenda for Russia and the World", which is being held in Moscow.
Governor Andrey Chibis told about the prospects for the development of hydrogen energy in the Murmansk Region at the plenary session.
Welcoming the participants via video link-representatives of relevant departments of the Russian Federation and working groups of the Arctic Council, heads of Russian regions of the Arctic zone, scientists and international experts, representatives of environmental organizations, the head of the region noted that several pilot investment projects in the field of green energy are planned to be implemented in the Kola Arctic.
"The government of the region sees great potential in the development of hydrogen energy. Currently, a project is being structured to produce hydrogen using electricity due to the launch of a new wind farm, which will take place in the next year and a half. It is being built by the Enel company. In parallel, work is underway to prepare a hydrogen energy project by Rosatom using the electric energy that is generated at the Kola Nuclear Power plant. We are also negotiating with our colleagues from Australia on the possibility of using hydropower, which is also very developed in our country, to produce hydrogen, " said Andrey Chibis.
In addition, among the priority tasks, according to Andrey Chibis, is the gasification of the Murmansk region. Natural gas is the most suitable "transition fuel" to a carbon-neutral economy and reducing the "carbon footprint". On the sidelines of SPIEF-2021 in early June, the regional government signed an agreement with RUSNANO JSC. It is planned to implement a pilot project to reduce Carbon Free Zone greenhouse gas emissions.
Large companies operating in the Murmansk Region also participate in the implementation of significant investment projects and introduce environmental technologies in production. The governor called MMC Norilsk Nickel an example of such cooperation.
"We are actively moving forward with large industrial companies to minimize the burden on the environment. Last year, the company Norilsk Nickel closed a rather harmful production in Nickel, the production in the city of Monchegorsk was modernized. Emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere have been radically reduced. Today, the copper production is being modernized, which will meet the most modern environmental requirements. We hope that the project will be implemented, " Andrey Chibis summed up.
For reference:
The international forum dedicated to the beginning of Russia's chairmanship in the Arctic Council in 2021-2023 will be held in Moscow on June 25 and 26 in a mixed format. The forum's events are aimed at developing cooperation and interaction between the Arctic states, indigenous peoples and other inhabitants of the Arctic, as well as promoting Russia's aspirations for a joint interstate solution of Arctic issues, including sustainable development and environmental protection.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /