Ukraine should step up development of energy efficiency and increase the share of renewables in energy consumption. This was stated by Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine Ostap Semerak in an interview with TV Channel 5.

The Minister is convinced that the sooner the society will understand the benefits of energy efficiency, the faster Ukraine will become a successful and competitive country. According to him, a country with economy dependent on coal can not compete with a country in which modern energy technologies are being actively implemented.

Ostap Semerak also recalled that according to the Strategy of low carbon development of Ukraine until 2035, the goal is to reach 11% share of renewables in final energy consumption. At present, the energy sector produces only 1.5% of renewable energy sources.

"We have set an ambitious plan to increase significantly the  share of renewable energy production. Thus, there is a lot of work ahead:  updating technologies, behavior and energy consumption rules, but investing in renewable energy technologies - the opportunity to create new jobs and to enhance low-carbon development of the country. And this process is being actively implemented now," the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources stressed.

Moreover, he is convinced that Ukraine's  leading position the global climate process are not only very ambitious and striking tasks facing the Government, but is a sign that the country’s vision of low carbon development is accepted by the United Nations.