MOSCOW, Aug. 27 - The Russian government has approved an energy strategy that aims to make full use of the country's natural resources and strengthen its position on international energy markets, Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said Thursday.
The strategy, approved until 2030, would increase domestic oil and gas production, and it outlined three phases for energy development, Shmatko told reporters after a government meeting.
The main goal of the first stage was to eliminate the impact of the ongoing economic crisis on the energy sector and pave the way for post-crisis development. The second stage would focus on improving energy efficiency, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.
By the end of the third stage, Russia was expected to have switched to highly efficient use of traditional energy and stood ready for transition to alternative energy, according to the strategy.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at the meeting that Russia "should get a well-balanced, effective and modern fuel and energy complex that has a high safety margin" by implementing the strategy.
The Russian economy, heavily depending on the exportation of energy and raw materials, has been hit hard by the global financial crisis.
The strategy, approved until 2030, would increase domestic oil and gas production, and it outlined three phases for energy development, Shmatko told reporters after a government meeting.
The main goal of the first stage was to eliminate the impact of the ongoing economic crisis on the energy sector and pave the way for post-crisis development. The second stage would focus on improving energy efficiency, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.
By the end of the third stage, Russia was expected to have switched to highly efficient use of traditional energy and stood ready for transition to alternative energy, according to the strategy.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at the meeting that Russia "should get a well-balanced, effective and modern fuel and energy complex that has a high safety margin" by implementing the strategy.
The Russian economy, heavily depending on the exportation of energy and raw materials, has been hit hard by the global financial crisis.
