Rustam Minnikhanov: Tatarstan has great potential for development of the energy saving sphere

On March 13, speaking at the meeting of Tatarstan Government on the implementation of the State programme “Energy Saving and Improving Energy  Efficiency in the Republic of Tatarstan for 2014-2020” on the results of work in 2017 and tasks for 2018, at the 19th international specialized exhibition “Energy. Resource Saving” at the Kazanskaya Yarmarka Exhibition Centre, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan has great potential for development of the energy saving sphere.

Minnikhanov emphasized that today, issues of energy saving require special attention. He noted that energy usage in Russia is two to three times higher than in developed countries. As for Tatarstan, according to the results of the previous year, energy intensity of the gross regional product has reduced only by 0.5 per cent.

According to Tatarstan President, public sector is one of the main areas of work. The republic has a considerable reserve here.

Minnikhanov noted that there are examples of organization of combined heat and power generation in the republic. Thus, a new thermoelectric plant with an electrical output capacity of 20 MW and thermal capacity of 28 Gcal / h will be put into operation in Elabuga this year. The main advantage of a thermoelectric plant is the opportunity to reduce the cost of thermal power generation. Thus, it is planned to contain the growth of tariffs for heat, as well as increase the efficiency and reliability of power supply in Elabuga.

Separately, Minnikhanov focused on the issue of the use of renewable energy sources. “Yes, we still have fuel oil and gas, but the world is very actively moving towards renewable energy sources. To remain on the market, all major energy companies are engaged in this issue. We should consider the prospects for using renewable energy sources in our republic,” he concluded.

Improving the efficiency of the energy cluster, the digitalization of the energy complex and improving energy efficiency are strategic tasks aimed at developing the energy sector. "We need to build up our own energy capabilities," Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier given an errand. “It is necessary to create entirely new enterprises in the field of electricity in many regions of the Russian Federation. Today, almost all developed countries have adopted policies aimed at developing clean energy, including renewable sources. Another key trend will be reduction of energy intensity of the economy, in particular, due to mass use of modern technologies”.