US-German Plan to Reduce Egypt's Gas Consumption

A platform at Egypt's Zohr gas field (Egyptian Presidency)
A platform at Egypt's Zohr gas field (Egyptian Presidency)
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US-German Plan to Reduce Egypt's Gas Consumption

A platform at Egypt's Zohr gas field (Egyptian Presidency)
A platform at Egypt's Zohr gas field (Egyptian Presidency)

The European Union is seeking an alternative for Russian gas and diversifying its energy sources, as Germany found other options for its needs through the Middle East and the US.

Germany depended on Russia for over 60 percent of its energy needs.

In partnership with the US, Germany is trying to reduce local Egyptian gas consumption by increasing reliance on renewable energy, aiming to supply Berlin with gas.

As part of the US-German plan, Egyptian gas would cover a large amount of Germany's gas needs during the coming period.

Furthermore, Egypt's provision and export of gas would increase its hard currency, boost its political and economic presence in the international community, and help reach its climate goals.

The US, German, and Egyptian governments released a political statement outlining a plan for accelerating Egypt's Energy Transition through Egypt's Country Platform for Nexus of Food, Water, and Energy (NWFE).

The statement noted that Washington and Berlin are committed to mobilizing more than $250 million in resources to support the deployment of 10 GW of new wind and solar energy projects while decommissioning 5GW of inefficient natural gas generation.

The project is coordinated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the State Department statement said.

Egypt committed to enhancing its Nationally Determined Contribution by quadrupling its installed renewables capacity share to 42 percent by 2030. It also committed to adopting an ambitious 2050 long-term strategy to explore a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target and kick-start the development of green hydrogen.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden announced on Friday during his speech at the UN Climate Summit (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, that Washington, in partnership with the EU and Germany, would provide a $500 million package to finance and facilitate Egypt's transition to clean energy.

Biden announced that the United States would provide $150 million in initiatives to African countries to address the consequences of climate change.

Biden added: "We'll also work with Egypt to capture nearly four billion cubic meters of natural gas, which Egypt currently flares, vents, or leaks from its oil and gas operations. And because of this cooperation, Egypt is elevating its climate ambition and submitting an enhanced nationally determined contribution."

Egypt recently signed several memoranda of understanding on green hydrogen projects, aiming to produce it through clean, emission-free energy sources.



Russia is Using Bitcoin, Digital Currencies in Foreign Trade

FILE PHOTO: A woman passes by the Bitcoin Monument after bitcoin soared above $100,000, in Ilopango, El Salvador, December 5, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A woman passes by the Bitcoin Monument after bitcoin soared above $100,000, in Ilopango, El Salvador, December 5, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo
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Russia is Using Bitcoin, Digital Currencies in Foreign Trade

FILE PHOTO: A woman passes by the Bitcoin Monument after bitcoin soared above $100,000, in Ilopango, El Salvador, December 5, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A woman passes by the Bitcoin Monument after bitcoin soared above $100,000, in Ilopango, El Salvador, December 5, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo

Russian companies have begun using bitcoin and other digital currencies in international payments following legislative changes that allowed such use in order to counter Western sanctions, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Wednesday.

Sanctions have complicated Russia's trade with its major partners such as China or Türkiye, as local banks are extremely cautious with Russia-related transactions to avoid scrutiny from Western regulators, according to Reuters.

This year, Russia permitted the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade and has taken steps to make it legal to mine cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin. Russia is one of the global leaders in bitcoin mining.

“As part of the experimental regime, it is possible to use bitcoins, which we had mined here in Russia (in foreign trade transactions),” Siluanov told Russia 24 television channel.

“Such transactions are already occurring. We believe they should be expanded and developed further. I am confident this will happen next year,” he said, adding that international payments in digital currencies represent the future.

Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said that the current US administration was undermining the role of the US dollar as the reserve currency by using it for political purposes, forcing many countries to turn to alternative assets.

He singled out bitcoin as an example of such assets, saying that no-one in the world could regulate bitcoin. Putin's remarks indicated that the Russian leader backs the extensive use of cryptocurrencies.