The meeting of the Thematic Group on Energy Strategies, Forecasts and Scenarios within the framework of the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue took place yesterday in the International Sustainable Energy Development Centre (ISEDC) under the auspices of UNESCO.

The discussion was  targeted at coordination of strategic plans of the parties and was focused on the analysis and evaluation results concerning various scenarios of delivery of Russian energy resources to the European Union countries. The participants confirmed that EU-Russian energy cooperation should base on  sustainability, market and adaptability  principals. The dialogue made special emphasis on the energy efficiency issues.

The representatives of the European Commission, of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, of the International Energy Agency (IEA), of the Energy Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ERIRAS), of ISEDC and some other organizations participated in the event. Representatives of another Thematic Group on Energy Efficiency also took active part in the meeting. Cooperation of the two groups was a pillar of this meeting and helped emphasizing the key points for the formation of new energy development scenarios taking into accout energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources (RES).
IEA representatives drew attention of the participants to the topic of using energy efficiency indicators in the energy strategies of EU and Russia. “Russia possesses a huge energy saving potential, said the Head of Energy Statistics Department of IEA Jean-Yves Garnier, – In cooperation with Rosstat we carried out detailed researches in three sectors: housing and communal services, transport and industry. Especially high energy losses were noted in residential sector, with transport and industry spheres adding up to them”. IEA representatives noted that this work should result in issuing of recommendations for the government taking into consideration the best international practices. “There is a wealth of knowledge and experience we have to share and extensively apply, - Mr.Garnier said, - We should cooperate but not compete”.
In the course of discussion General Director of Energy Strategy Institute Vitaliy Bushuev noted that it was necessary to clarify the definitions before the discussion of global energy efficiency topics. In his opinion, energy efficiency indicators should not only cover the cost reduction but also should assume the human aspirations and expectations from the use of energy. “We should not neglect such notions as beauty, image, etc. - Mr.Bushuev said, - Brilliance of a lustre is undue consumption but it is very beautiful. Biking is saving but inconvenient and not prestigious. Energy efficiency should not be narrowed down only to energy saving”.
Director-General of ISEDC, Vice-Chairman of the Management Board of «RusHydro» Vladimir Kalamanov expressed his opinion on the issues of energy efficiency as the baselines of sustainable energy development. He noted that this topic should be considered at least with respect to two points: RES and cost reduction. ISEDC Director-General noted great potential of small-scale energy, including hydroenergetics.
- Even a small water stream can be converted in energy source which will feed a whole neighborhood or a town, Mr.Kalamanov said, – Firstly, this is the way of local solution of humanitarian problem of energy poverty, and secondly, it minimizes negative impact on environment and climate change. Oil and gas are not unlimited, and Russia should have RES reserve for the future like solar and bio-energy, which may also be considered from the point of view of their export.
It was resolved at the meeting that by the end of November 2010, before the next meeting in Brussels, the European Commission would present the EU Energy Development Strategy up to 2050. Meanwhile the dialogue participants should also introduce their proposals on “Road map” of energy cooperation development between Russia and EU countries.
- “Road map” is a document which will reflect the actuality and demonstrate the real conditions, said Deputy Director of State Energy Policy and Energy Efficiency Department of Ministry of Energy of Russia Yuri Baron, – Only precise knowledge and understanding of the situation will help us define the areas of mutually beneficial cooperation and reveal the potential risks. To create an efficient general strategy we need harmonization of political guidelines and their detailed coordination. The interaction should be goal-oriented and harmonious. Therefore we need the “Road map”, since both Russia and EU are interested in sustainable long-term energy cooperation”.

ISEDC press-center