Strategic goals and objectives of the energy sector
One of the main global trends of our time is global climate change due to environmental pollution and violations of the thermal balance of the atmosphere, energy deficit and limited fuel resources, as well as the unstable situation on the world energy market. These problems are also related to the increasing energy efficiency of the world economy, which is manifested in the form of an energy conservation initiative, and an increase in the share of renewable sources in global energy production.
Further development of the electric power industry will depend mainly on the success of investment projects, best practices in energy conservation and the introduction of a balancing market. Experience shows that the growing electricity tariff for consumers will also include an investment component.
Kazakhstan, like Russia, due to its geographical location, has not only a significant potential for renewable energy sources, but also a significant transit and export potential, which creates prerequisites for international cooperation.
The unified energy system of the Republic, created in the 60-70s of the last century, is now working steadily, fully meeting the needs of the economy and the population for electricity. However, further economic growth may lead to a shortage of electricity capacity in the foreseeable future. It is not possible to meet the growing needs of the economy and further development of the energy sector without introducing new and modernizing existing capacities. The implementation of such measures, in turn, requires significant financial resources, including by raising tariffs for consumers.
The government, state institutions and scientific organizations are actively engaged in developing a comprehensive state program to stimulate energy saving processes. In addition to creating various mechanisms to promote energy conservation, including a special Fund, Kazakhstan has introduced Laws "On energy conservation" and "On support for the use of renewable energy sources".
Kazakhstan is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions into the Earth's atmosphere. In the last century, an inventory of these gases was conducted in Kazakhstan, according to which the annual volume of greenhouse gas emissions at the level of 1990 was estimated at 320 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. By specific indicators of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of gross product (data from the International Energy Agency) Kazakhstan is in the first place in the world, and in terms of emissions per capita - in the thirteenth. In terms of absolute greenhouse gas emissions, it ranks twenty-third in the world, third among CIS countries, and is the leader among Central Asian countries. Such a high volume of emissions is due to the prevailing use of low-grade coal in Kazakhstan's energy sector and the lack of introduction of alternative energy sources. Thus, involvement in the energy balance of alternative energy sources, primarily renewable, is not only an economically determined task within Kazakhstan, but also an environmental problem on a global scale.
Today, renewable energy sources (RES) are the most dynamically developing form of energy generation in the world. Every year, its global growth rate exceeds 30 %, and experts predict that it will continue in the future. Global demand for renewable energy is constantly growing. By the middle of this century, their share in the global energy balance is projected to increase to 35 %, and Germany-to 47%, not to mention Denmark-to 100 %. The EU, USA, China and India are the leaders in generating alternative electricity (in terms of the total capacity of existing renewable energy facilities).
The attractiveness of RES is associated with the inexhaustibility of these resources, independence from the price situation on the world energy markets, and environmental cleanliness. The latter argument is particularly relevant because traditional energy has a negative impact on the environment, both locally and globally.
If we establish energy production based on renewable sources, Kazakhstan will save tens of millions of tons of conventional fuel, which can be exported and at the same time radically reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
To fill the electricity deficit in the South of Kazakhstan, it is possible to introduce alternative sources of renewable energy. Issues of their involvement in the country's energy balance are caused by the growth of electricity consumption, environmental consequences of the widespread use of organic fuel for generation, and rising energy prices.
The main obstacles to improving energy efficiency and increasing the share of RES are similar. These include subsidized prices for traditional energy sources, inefficient regulation, lack of information, institutional barriers, difficult access to Finance, etc.
There are a number of policy instruments used to promote energy efficiency and RES. Based on the experience available to date, it is possible to increase the profitability of such projects from the integrated use of certain tools. This includes: comprehensive application of energy certification, tax discounts on investments, special lending tools, third-party financing, information and training. Integration opportunities should be carefully assessed, taking into account specific national circumstances.
Improving energy efficiency and switching to carbon-free or low-carbon energy technologies offers significant opportunities for climate change mitigation. In recent years, climate change has become more important in the national policy agenda of countries that are parties to the UN framework Convention on climate change.
Energy-efficient and carbon-free development of the world's energy sector involves regulating the innovation process in each country. Planning of innovative development is associated with the definition of strategic directions of economic development based on scientific and technical achievements. The most common form of its implementation is scientific and technical forecasting and technological foresight. Predictive analysis allows you to get results in the form of long-term goals and directions of innovative development of the economy, its branches and regions. The forecast is based on expert opinions that reflect changes in the global market conditions that occur under the influence of the use of new technologies and techniques.
Three predictive studies were conducted in Kazakhstan. By order of JSC "National Innovation Fund" (later reorganized into JSC " National Agency for Technological Development») foresight-1 was held, which resulted in a list of priority technologies approved by the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Foresight-2.3 was conducted with the support of the science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan and JSC "national Center for State scientific and technical expertise". The results in the form of priority research and interdisciplinary areas were adopted by the National Scientific Councils for the selection of innovative projects for grant and program-targeted funding.
Within the framework of the Eurasian Union, priorities for the development of the energy sector, both in Russia and Kazakhstan, are very important. In the context of the global economic crisis, it is very important to define strategic goals and objectives for the development of joint energy of the Eurasian Union. The General strategy of innovative energy development is comprehensive state support for the creation, development and use of innovations as the basis of innovation policy, which is the main component of the state's socio-economic policy.
Taking into account the global economic situation and the technological level of the countries of the Eurasian Union, the choice of strategic priorities for the energy sector should be based on a technological foresight. Foresight studies were previously conducted in the countries of the Eurasian Union, but in the new conditions within the Union, predictive studies were not expected and are not expected. To develop a strategy and Program for the development of the energy sector of the Eurasian Union, it is necessary to form a community of experts and organize forecast studies with the involvement of the authorized bodies of each country of the Union for energy.