Energy Saving in The Ukraine: Problems and Prospects

 

Stogniy B.S., Academician of NAS of Ukraine Division of Physical and Engineering Problems of Energetics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

 

Important problems of the further development of a fuel and power engineering sector (FPES) of the Ukraine depend significantly on spontaneous development of economy and FPES stimulated by crisis circumstances. Further development of power engineering is supposed to be realized on the basis of constant and steady development.

There are three basic ways for the new power engineering development in the Ukraine:

1) application of existing technologies of the energy production via implementation of them on the basis of the most modern engineering solutions;

2) implementation of the renewable power sources;

3) increase in the efficiency of the fuel and energy use, in particular, at the final stage of consumption via energy saving.

Considerable step forward in the energy use efficiency was the Complex State Program of the Energy Saving in the Ukraine (CSPESU). This Program was developed in 1996 by the group of expert from the National Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine, State Committee on Energy Saving and Ministry of Economy of the Ukraine. It is necessary to point out a profound analysis of the considered problem in this Program, specification and clarity in definition of the stated problems of energy saving. Though tasks of the Program during the first stage of its implementation (1996-2000) had not been completed in full, this Program should be described as the most effective programs ever developed since the Ukrainian independence. 

Following this situation, the same group of experts in the year 2000 developed an Additional Measures and Improved Indexes to implement the CSPESU. They were approved, as well as the Program itself, by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Ukraine. The positive changes in the Ukrainian economy, which happened recently, allowed hoping on more successful implementation of the improved version of the CSPESU. But it could be achieved only via making substantial efforts in all possible directions of energy saving. 

It is shown that the enhancement of the energy use efficiency is possible to be achieved owing to structural reorganization of the economy. Today our industry is overloaded with energy-consuming enterprises that, in addition, utilize out-of-date technologies. The success may be attained in case of decisive, balanced and thorough solution of the very important problem of significant increase in the energy efficiency of our economy.