Planning Ahead: Russia & China Prepare Joint Energy Strategy to 2050

Russia’s Energy Minister, Sergei Tsivilev, has met with Wang Hongzhi, the head of China’s National Energy Administration, at a meeting for energy ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states and discussed current issues around bilateral collaboration in fuel and energy as well as promoting fair energy access throughout the world.

Tsivilev and Wang discussed LNG and natural gas exports, the development of gas transportation infrastructure and joint energy projects, and expanding oil and coal partnerships.

Russia’s Energy Ministry stated that “The parties also discussed coordinating the formation of the joint Russian-Chinese Energy Strategy to 2050. Among other points, this document will stipulate the establishment of infrastructure allowing both countries to conduct more effective interactions in fuel and energy at all stages, from production and field development to transportation.”

Tsivilev added, “We see this as a plan for interaction in the fuel and energy industries, encompassing energy security, uninterrupted energy supply, technological advancement, the exchange of knowledge, personnel training, and the environment.”

The 2050 timeframe allows not just Russia and China, but also members of the SCO to coordinate and plan the anticipated energy needs and to formulate budgets for infrastructure to enable this to happen. It is a 25-year-long plan. The SCO also includes as full members Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These full members possess approximately 20% of the world’s oil reserves and 44% of its natural gas reserves.

In addition to this, Mongolia and Afghanistan are observer nations to the SCO, while Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cambodia, Egypt, Kuwait, Maldives, Myanmar, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, and the UAE are all SCO dialogue partners. Collectively, these countries possess an additional 22% of global oil and 21% of global gas reserves, with the bulk of this being held in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Full membership of the SCO can be expected to evolve over the coming years.