Chinese energy engineer pulls out of Russia

It said the decision was made “in view of the strategic future of the company”.

The move comes after Russian president Vladimir Putin met China’s president Xi Xinping in Beijing last month to pledge a “new era” of partnership.

The decision could affect the future of the sanctions-hit Arctic LNG 2 liquefied natural gas plant in Siberia.

Reuters reports that the plant’s developer, Russian gas company Novatek, had said last year that it planned to use Wison equipment to build a gas turbine power station for the Arctic plant.

In its statement, Wison said: “We appreciate the good relations we have built with our Russian partners in the past and value the work we have done together. However, in view of the strategic future of the company, we have to make this difficult decision.”

Its statement added: “We are fully aware of the impact this decision may have on relevant partners and employees, and we will do our best to properly handle all follow-up matters and ensure a smooth transition. We will also actively seek new development opportunities to lay a solid foundation for the company’s long-term development.

“Wison New Energies has always been committed to providing customers with clean and efficient energy solutions and promoting sustainable development.”

Reuters notes that the Arctic LNG 2 plant had been part of Russia’s plan to increase its share of global LNG sales from 8% now to 20% by 2030.

It would have been Russia’s biggest LNG plant, with three production trains eventually producing 19.8 million metric tons a year.

But US sanctions imposed on the plant in November last year over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine frustrated sales of LNG from the plant’s first, completed production train, and the plant suspended production in April, Reuters reports.