Experts forecast – investments into energy conservation will grow
Changes in regulations in the area of energy conservation will result in an increased flow of western investment into Russia – according to the GCE Group of Companies.
According to Alexander Moskalenko, head of one of the largest energy auditor firms in Europe, the GCE Group of Companies, western investors want to invest in our energy efficiency, but they don’t know where to invest. The new law “On Energy Conservation and the Increase of Energy Efficiency”, dated November 22nd, 2009, will make the decision an easier one.
“The law calls for a new level of energy consumers – municipalities, city utility services, entire regions – to implement a new Russian energy strategy intended to increase energy efficiency,” notes Mr. Moskalenko. “The lighting of city streets alone accounts for 19% of all the electricity consumed in the world. The energy savings potential is enormous – about 40% – and this is already recognized by world’s largest corporations: Siemens, Philips, BASF.”
“Siemens Corporation has signed an agreement with the government of the Sverdlovsk region to create a project entitled – “Yekaterinburg – An Energy Efficient City”, - Mr. Moskalenko cites as an example. “Siemens will invest in the equipment and technology. In Krasnoyarsk, Philips replaced light bulbs and installed an energy consumption management system on just one street, but this is already saving the city 1 million RUR per year. In Saint Petersburg, Philips promotes street lighting pilot projects to illuminate the streets with LED lamps, which are more expensive, but consume little electricity”.
According to Alexander Moskalenko, President, GCE Group of Companies, the Ministry of Energy has revived its efforts to attract energy conservation investors to the country. “Wind energy projects in the Black Sea are already being implemented. And, I predict that there will be an increase of activity in biofuels, as well.”
Background note: GCE Group of Companies (GCE) is one of the largest energy auditors in Europe. As part of the GCE Group of Companies, GCE–Energy specializes in energy audits, and it also does business in India and Brazil. It is responsible for the development of energy conservation programs for some of the world’s largest energy corporations. Among those enterprises are Gazprom, Rosneft, TNK-BP, CPFL, Enel, and many others.