Minsk Mayor calls for greater efforts in energy conservation

– The utility companies of Minsk need to work harder on energy conservation, Minsk Mayor Nikolai Ladutko said at a session in the Minsk City Hall on 2 May. The session reviewed the energy conservation activities in 2012 and the status of implementation of Directive No. 3 on economy and frugality, BelTA learned.

Nikolai Ladutko believes that there is no well-crafted energy conservation system in this sector yet. "We need to incentivize business managers to work harder on energy saving. This is possible through a system of evaluation. The results should be taken into account in bonus payments,” he said.

The head of the Energy Division of Minsk City Hall Alexander Gerasimenko informed that last year 295,000 tonnes of fuel equivalent were saved as a result of energy conservation measures, or Br525.8 billion. Of the 135 activities 101 were completed in full, 15 were partially completed. Yet, the city managed to meet the energy-saving target through additional activities. In 2012 the city slimmed down the energy intensity by 5.2%, above the target of 5%.

This year, the energy conservation program includes large projects in such major organizations of Minsk as the Minsk Arena cultural and sports complex, Minsk Tractor Works, Minsk Automobile Plant, Minsk Metro, Minsk water supply company Vodokanal, Minskkommunteploset heat supply service, Keramin tile producer, Minsk Kristall distillery. The aggregate savings as a result of these measures will exceed 3,000 tonnes of fuel equivalent.

In 2013 the city of Minsk is expected to reduce energy intensity by 6.5%.

According to Alexander Gerasimenko, energy audits are conducted every five years to identify energy savings opportunities.