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VIENNA, Oct 24 (Reuters) – Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer will seek more gas supplies from the United Arab Emirates during a visit to Abu Dhabi this week, the office of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Monday. in reducing the country’s heavy energy dependence on Russia.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Austria has been scrambling to find alternative sources of natural gas, vital for heating and some energy-intensive industries that make products such as steel and paper. Most of Austria’s electricity comes from renewable energy sources, especially hydropower.
“We are well prepared for the coming winter. Our storage facilities are almost full. We have also significantly reduced our reliance on Russian gas from 80 percent to 50 percent,” Nehamer said in his office. said in a statement.
He will travel to Abu Dhabi with his finance minister and conservative Magnus Brenner and his energy and environment minister, Leonor Gerwesler of the Green Party.
“We are now working to secure supply for the next heating season. So I will travel to Abu Dhabi with Magnus Brunner and Leonore Gewessler on Wednesday afternoon to negotiate how to further reduce reliance on Russia and improve supply security 2023/2024 year.”
Austria and Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala (MUDEV.UL) are two largest shareholder in Austrian oil and gas company OMV (OMVV.VI).
Nehamer added that the UAE is an “important strategic partner” for Austria in its efforts to secure supply.
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Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Kirsten Donovan
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