Decarbonisation of Russian regions was discussed at RENWEX 2022
The conference programme of RENWEX 2022. Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles at EXPOCENTRE Fairgrounds was continued with the Session on Regional Decarbonisation Programmes: Pilot Projects and Real Results.
The session was moderated by Alexey Zhikharev, Director of the Russia Renewable Energy Development Association/Partner at VYGON Consulting, who paid special attention to the implementation of projects related to decarbonisation. According to him, 38 Russian regions are involved in programmes to stimulate investment in renewable energy. This shows that regional authorities' interest in this topic is growing, despite the fact that the main incentive for decarbonisation programmes is the federal government.
The moderator explained that with the correct use of federal documents, regions can stimulate the active development of their economies, attract investment to their regions and create new jobs, thereby ensuring the long-term, sustainable development of the region's economy.
Another report was made by Vladislav Onishchenko, President at the Center for Strategic Research Foundation. He pointed out three aspects which remain important today. First, anything related to decarbonisation, renewable energy, the transition to low-carbon development – these are issues of technological development. The second is exports and export restrictions. The third is the issue of cost reduction in the medium term. The speaker also stressed that the federal government attaches great importance to the way in which the regions implement their policies. He believes that the current important issues are inventories of emission sources and absorption opportunities, requirements for self-budgeted investments in regulated sectors, support through incentives for new technological trends, and creating and supporting systemic accountability at the local level through training and advice.
Other participants included Advisor to the Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Anton Shashkin, CEO at H2 Clean Energy Aleksey Kaplun, Director at the Institute of the World Ocean of the Far Eastern Federal University Kirill Vinnikov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy of the Rostov Oblast Vyacheslav Timchenko, and Chair at the Board of Directors of the Russian Association of Wind Power Industry Igor Bryzgunov. They discussed a range of other issues of practical relevance to regional renewable energy development.
Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO