The Vitebsk Region Employers' Council proposed to discuss the issue of rational use of fuel and energy resources

This was precisely the main topic of discussion at the meeting of heads of enterprises in the Vitebsk region, initiated by the Employers' Association. The management corps is interested in solving complex problems that the current times pose to economic entities. Nothing surprising: their successful development and competitiveness in the market largely depend on this.

According to Viktor Vaitulyanets, Deputy Head of the Vitebsk Regional Department for Supervision of the Rational Use of Fuel and Energy Resources, enterprises in the Pridvinye region are coping well with energy saving tasks. However, it is worth noting those who started earlier and continue this work. For example, OJSC "Keramika" has already installed two gas piston units, with a third planned for 2013. Despite its energy intensity, OJSC "Naftan" is also fulfilling its savings plan. Sergey Starovoytov, Director of RUP "Belorusneft-Vitebskobleneftoprodukt," where the meeting of managers was held, also shared achievements in this area. A number of projects in the region are planned and being implemented this year. But, unfortunately, as Viktor Voytulyanets noted, there are enterprises that are already late; they should have thought about modernization several years ago. It will be much more difficult and costly for them to operate.

The ultimate goal should be to reduce the energy intensity of GRP. The path to it is known: the introduction of modern energy-efficient technologies into production, automatic control of lighting systems, optimization of heating supply, and the use of local fuels and alternative sources. The housing and communal services system of the Vitebsk region is still lagging in the installation of motion and sound-activated lighting sensors in stairwells. However, significant results have been achieved in water savings through the installation of meters: this has made citizens more disciplined. And the indicator for the use of local fuels, set by the Government of the country, is being overfulfilled, although significant reserves still exist.

In total, the Vitebsk region spent 3 trillion 240 billion rubles from all sources on energy saving measures in 2012, with more than 50 percent of this amount being the enterprises' own funds.

It is gratifying that the heads of economic entities understand the importance and necessity of this work. And the invested funds will undoubtedly pay off. The main thing is that the savings are not limited to replacing light bulbs with energy-saving ones. The time for easy solutions is over; it is time to think, weigh, pay attention to modernization, and implement new technologies. It is not for nothing that the Head of State constantly emphasizes this. It is not for nothing that 2013 has been declared the Year of Thrift. This is a contribution to a stable and secure future.

Olga MASLOVSKAYA, "Vitebsky Rabochy".