Oleksiy Orzhel: Energy efficiency should become a national idea and energy efficient neighborhoods must appear in Ukraine

Energy efficiency is a priority for the President of Ukraine, the Government and for the new Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection of Ukraine.  Energy efficiency provides an extraordinary booster for economic development and is an important instrument in reducing energy dependency for Ukraine. Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection of Ukraine Oleksiy Orzhel emphasized, opening a two-day Challenge "Energy marathon: European Experience of Energy Efficiency".

"Every hryvnia invested in energy efficiency is more than 3 hryvnias that are returning back to the economy. You shortly will see the next steps that the Government will take in this direction. Energy efficiency must become our national idea. We have been working on the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) for a very long time and we already have achieved good result on this way," the Minister stressed.

Oleksiy Orzhel informed that there is a position according to which utility bills for citizens should be reduced not due to tariff cuts, but by building efficient markets, which will cut down the price.

The Minister said: “We are now moving forward very slow and have the lowest energy intensity of GDP. And this is unacceptable for the country that depends on energy imports. Next year, energy efficient neighborhoods should appear in Ukraine. And that will already be an indicator for the country."

According to the Minister, the environment and energy  were combined for a purpose. Every unproduced kW/h, every unprocessed gigacalorie and other types of unused energy is the best indicator of reducing the environmental impact.

"We have already drafted a bill that will encompass carbon costs per unit. And these funds should be used for energy efficiency, thermal modernization and technological upgrades. This tax we are returning back to the economy, and those who pay it become more energy efficient, more competitive. The green transition, which is underway in Europe, must be implemented in Ukraine," Oleksiy Orzhel said.

The Minister thanked all donors who support Ukraine in this field and share European best practices.