October 23, Moscow – The First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Aleksey Teksler spoke in the “Levchenko. Perspective” program on RBK TV channel. The second guest of the program was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC ROTEK, the Development Director of High-Technology Assets of the Renova Group, Mikhail Lifshits.

The participants discussed the prospects for the development of renewable energy sources in Russia and worldwide.

According to Aleksey Teksler, the energy of the future is characterized by the fastest development dynamics. But at the same time, traditional sources will retain their positions in the next 20 years.

“Today the share of such sources is about 85%; it will drop to 80%. In this regard, it is early, of course, to say that the epoch of hydrocarbons is ending”, the First Deputy Minister noted.

Aleksey Teksler cited data according to which the share of renewable energy sources in Russia’s electrical power generation today is less than 1%, and, according to projections, will reach 3.2% by 2035.

“Until 2015, little if any solar or wind station was built in the country, which would meet modern requirements. In 2015, slightly less than 60 MW was introduced, and in 2016 – 70 MW. By the end of 2017, it is planned to build another 130 MW of capacities”, the First Deputy Minister specified.

When asked about the RES market competition, Aleksey Teksler replied that in the solar energy market, competition arose almost immediately, and in the wind generation there was traditionally one player.

“This year we have held a competition, which was attended by three companies – Rosatom, ROSNANO together with Fortum and the Italian company Enel. As a result, specific costs decreased by 30%. And this shows the competition, which is growing every year”, he added.

Aleksey Teksler also shared the priorities of the Ministry of Energy of Russia in the development of traditional and renewable energy:

“We need a balance. We have competitive hydrocarbons. We will develop them. As well as renewable sources, and, first of all, from the point of view of technical competence. Further, this industry will certainly have an export potential”.

According to Aleksey Teksler, within the framework of stimulating consumers to use microgeneration based on renewable energy sources with a capacity of up to 15 kW, a corresponding road map has been developed.

“There will be an opportunity to give excessive electricity to the network. Thus, we will receive an active-adaptive user who can both buy and sell energy”, he continued. “We want to launch such an initiative during the year. This will stimulate the RES development”.

The first deputy minister also noted that today energy generation on the basis of renewable sources in Russia is by 20-30% more expensive than traditional energy, but there is a tendency towards a decrease.

“According to our calculations, grid parity in Russia will be reached somewhere in 10-12 years. While our current task in this race is not to fall behind”, said Alexey Teksler.

In the course of the discussion, the participants agreed that renewable energy is no longer an alternative one, the industry has been created, and now there will be a struggle to reduce the cost of this type of energy.