29 September 2008

GPPi fellow publishes article on Russian energy efficiency

GPPi fellow Andreas Goldthau published an article entitled “Improving Russian Energy Efficiency: Next Steps”, in the September 2008 issue of Russian Analytical Digest. The article, appearing in the 46th issue of the journal, looks at the inefficient energy infrastructure of modern Russia and assesses its impact on Russia and the European Union before offering alternatives to address the problem.

Goldthau argues that despite Russia’s wealth of energy resources it suffers loss in both financial gains and energy security due to a dilapidating infrastructure. The problem cuts across both the private and public arena: the lack of modern heating systems in housing, outdated infrastructure and equipment in energy intensive industrial sectors, natural gas leaks from pipelines during transmission and distribution, flaring of natural gases, and so on.

According to Goldthau, Russia has an enormous potential to increase its energy efficiency given the right application of policies. Amongst the suggestions to rectify this include Russian government lead incentives to reduce flaring, increase of domestic price of gas, the breaking up of Gazprom monopoly on the pipeline system, and cooperation of the EU with Russia to convince the Kremlin that reducing domestic demands serves both Russian and European interests.

For more information please contact Andreas Goldthau

To read the article please click here 

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