Mikhail Mishustin: It is important to provide resources to meet the growing requirements of business, the economy and the social sphere. We will continue working systemically, including with due regard for the updated Energy Strategy and with the planning horizon extended to 2050. Its preparation has reached the final stage.
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks:
Mikhail Mishustin chairs strategic session on the energy and resource efficiency of the national economy
Mikhail Mishustin chairs strategic session on the energy and resource efficiency of the national economy
Mikhail Mishustin chairs strategic session on the energy and resource efficiency of the national economy
Good afternoon, colleagues.
We have met for a regular strategic session of the Government to discuss ways to increase the energy and resource efficiency of the national economy.
These spheres are of crucial significance for the continued sustainable development of the country and for achieving the national development goals formulated by the President, primarily when it comes to improving the quality of life for our citizens.
With this aim in view, we are actively modernising pour infrastructure. In particular, the regions are converting boiler stations to more efficient types of fuel. We have achieved major progress in the use of alternative and renewable sources of energy and, accordingly, reducing the environmental footprint.
These efforts have also been taken within a corresponding government programme since last year. This comprehensive programme includes measures to improve technologies and practices in the fuel and energy sector, the industry, transport, construction, and housing and utilities, that is, the sectors that are high energy users.
There is also great potential for building up efforts in each of these sectors. We will continue working systemically, including with due regard for the updated Energy Strategy and with the planning horizon extended to 2050. Its preparation has reached the final stage.
It is important to provide the resources required to meet the growing requirements of business, the economy and the social sphere.
The President has formulated the task of gradually reducing energy intensity per GDP. In other words, we must reduce the quantity of energy required per unit output.
This will create additional possibilities for increasing the production of goods and services. Not only industrial facilities and utility networks but also transport, urban buses and road infrastructure must be converted to stricter electricity and heat loss standards.
According to expert estimates, the fuel and energy sector accounts for almost one third of the total energy consumption in our country. Therefore, one of our priorities is to systematically improve the quality and condition of all generating equipment and power transmission lines. We need to stop using outdated processes and inefficient equipment as soon as possible. We need to upgrade existing TPPs, as well as accelerate the construction of new nuclear and hydroelectric power plants. Implementing such capital-intensive projects calls for creating additional state support mechanisms, as well as incentives for the industries to widely introduce the best available technologies.
It is important that all regions more actively participate in this effort, especially the regions in the Far East, where electricity consumption is growing faster than in Russia as a whole. This is due to the high pace of construction of housing, social and industrial facilities. Our energy sector must be able to meet this challenge.
We are also paying heightened attention to the new Russian regions. Large development projects are underway there to augment the local industrial capabilities, and infrastructure for comfortable life is being rebuilt.
The construction sector plays a significant role in the implementation of the plans. It is one of the drivers of the Russian economy. Here, too, high growth rates have been achieved, including through optimising internal resources and introducing innovations. Last year, labour productivity growth in this sector approached 4 percent. To cut the implementation time of investment projects, we need to continue reducing administrative barriers, abolishing redundant requirements and procedures.
During the previous strategic session, we thoroughly considered the opportunities for providing the industry with the necessary materials, equipment, personnel and capital. Naturally, to make the most productive use of these resources, we need to make sure that they are properly managed and accounted for, which will require specific adjustments and solutions.
Colleagues,
It is important to constantly monitor all the factors that may affect our efficiency in key areas, timely adjust the approaches we use, and improve the support tools we discuss at every strategic session, if necessary.
Today, I propose reviewing the current situation and drafting measures to maintain the efficiency of the construction complex and stable and lean energy supply to our regions, cities and industrial facilities.
