A consortium made up of Gazprom, Gasunie, Eurotechnika and BioGazEnergoStroy are hoping to develop a green gas industry in Russia, with the aim of exporting to Europe in the future.

The group have signed a memorandum of understanding, in which the parties will consider the possibility of implementing the pilot project for the development, certification and export ofgreen gas tothe Netherlands and subsequently throughout the European Union.

Alexander Medvedev, Deputy Chairman ofthe Gazprom Management Committee said: “Production and use ofenergy derived from renewable sources are becoming amore visible segment ofthe energy industry. ‘Green’ gas occupies animportant place here.”

Green gas is methane of biological origin produced from biomass and treated to have the same quality as natural gas.

Mr Medvedev added the group were well placed: “Russia has aconsiderable potential for “green” gas production: inthe long run itmay amount to35billion cubic meters ayear. Iamconfident that our joint work ondevelopment ofthis area will contribute significantly tothe preservation ofthe environment and open new horizons for the Russian-EU energy cooperation.”