Snam has signed a memorandum of understanding with State Grid International Development (SGID), 100% controlled by State Grid Corporation of China, the largest energy utility in the world, to evaluate a series of possible collaboration opportunities in China and internationally, in particular in relation to the use of new technologies to reduce CO2 emissions.
The memorandum was signed today at the Italian Embassy in Beijing, as part of the mission of the Ministry of Economy and Finance in China and in the presence of Minister Giovanni Tria and the managing director of Cassa depositi e prestiti Fabrizio Palermo, the managing director of Snam Marco Alverà and the president of SGID Hu Yuhai.
Among the initiatives under study:
- the construction of biogas and biomethane plants aimed at producing electricity from renewable sources in rural areas of China: Snam would contribute by making its know-how available;
- possible partnership opportunities in research and development on renewable gas, sustainable mobility and joint electricity-gas projects.
The agreement also provides for evaluating possible collaborations in two other countries in which SGID operates, Australia and Portugal, in the context of the maintenance and optimization of natural gas transportation networks and storage sites.
“This initiative – he comments the managing director of Snam Marco Alverà – confirms the leadership of Snam and Italy in the energy sector and in particular in the development of new renewable sources such as biomethane and in innovation for environmental sustainability. We are very pleased to be able to work with a leading company like SGID. Snam is ready to make its experience, skills and people available to make a contribution to China's energy transition, which is firmly aiming for greater environmental sustainability by increasing the share of gas in its energy mix".
During Tria's mission to China, Fincantieri also signed a contract with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), the largest Chinese shipbuilding conglomerate, a Memorandum of Understanding for the expansion of the industrial cooperation already existing between the two groups to all segments of merchant shipbuilding. The previous agreement was signed in February 2017; now a joint working group, made up of 6 members, 3 on each side, will be formed to verify in the field the existing potential in the various business segments identified.
Updated at 10:14
The signing ceremony took place in Beijing, in the presence of the Minister of Economy and Finance Giovanni Tria, the CEO of Cassa depositi e prestiti Fabrizio Palermo, the CEO of Fincantieri Giuseppe Bono and the Chairman of CSSC Lei Fanpei .
The agreement provides for the parties to discuss the possibility of expanding their current collaboration, which includes a joint venture dedicated to the first cruise ships ever built in China for the local market and other related activities, including a number of research and development in multiple areas of shipbuilding, including: units for the oil & gas sector; cruise ferry; mega yachts; special vessels; steel infrastructure; systems, engineering and Navy procurementas well as cabins, interiors and the creation of a supply chain in the cruise industry. The perimeter of the agreement could be further extended if opportunities are identified.
