Rustem Khamitov: "New realities require closer cooperation between authorities and business"

UFA, 21 October 2014. /Bashinform News Agency, Iliya Spiridonov/. The President of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov visited the XIV Russian Energy Forum, which opened today at Ufa exhibition complex "VDNkH-Expo". The head of the republic met with the professor of the Moscow Power Engineering University, Doctor of Technical Sciences Viktor Kudryavy and delivered a speech at the plenary session devoted to "green energy".

In his speech Rustem Khamitov said that amid worsening of geopolitical situation the development of global and Russian economies also slowed down. Thus, the index of industrial production in the Republic of Bashkortostan amounted to 102.5 percent.

One of the most important areas of cooperation between business and government is the development of the energy complex, Rustem Khamitov stressed.

The republican power grid system is one of nine major regional systems included in the integrated power system of the Urals, and constitutes one-tenth of its total installed capacity providing 4.5 GW. But, according to the President, taking into account the rapid industrial and residential construction that is not enough.

Alternative energy does not currently facilitate a solution of these problems and, according to the head of the republic, is "in its infancy" so far. In the field of water power engineering only three large-scale hydro power plants (Pavlovskaya, Nugushskaya and Yumaguzinskaya) and 12 small and micro-hydro power plants work. Although there are enough available resources for the development of this sector - 120 reservoirs and ponds of over 100 thousand m3. The construction of five solar power plants with a total capacity of about 40 MW is being conducted. In mid-2015, the first stage of the largest of them - Buribaevskaya solar power plant will be commissioned. Since 2001, the wind farm with capacity of 2.2 MW operates in Tuimazy region.

Some work is carried out on application other alternative energy sources, in particular, livestock waste, yard waste, recoverable resources as a source of gas, followed by production of heat and electricity. But these are only niche products.

The head of the republic expressed his confidence that the priority for the republic was the development of traditional thermal power.

“Of course, it is necessary to support "green" alternative energy too, but we should think about how to increase large energy capacities and to do it considerably,” the President said.

Recall that the Russian Energy Forum is held in Bashkortostan since 2000. This year, it was included in the plan of the Russian Federation Chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. More than 100 leading industry experts, representatives of federal and regional legislative and executive authorities, leading energy companies from Russia, CIS and foreign countries will make their reports at it. The event program also includes holding of specialized exhibitions "Energy Saving. Electrical Engineering. Cable" and "SCO Power Sector".