In today’s environment, amid pandemic malaise, fulfilling obligations to commission renewable energy facilities is difficult for companies. This was stated by Igor Bryzgunov, Chairman of the Russian Association of the Wind Power Industry (RAWI) at an online conference organised by the Russia Renewable Energy Development Association.
The conference on the current status of renewable energy sector development in the context of gradual recovery of the world economy was held on June 23, 2020.
“The market infrastructure cannot exist without the market itself, which has been badly hit and is still experiencing all the effects of the crisis. This applies to logistics, construction and contracts with foreign specialists. In our country, a paradoxical situation has arisen as the lockdown measures are in place, but companies can’t avail themselves of legal rules applied in the event of force majeure circumstances,” said the head of the RAWI.
Further, Olga Ukhanova, senior expert of the Renewable Energy Development Association, told about the dynamics of RES-based facilities build-out in Russia. The rate of sustainable generation commissioning in Russia in 2019 has doubled compared to 2018, and in 2020, further doubling of construction is expected. In total, about 1,300 MW of wind and solar power plants, as well as small-scale hydropower plants are slated to come online in 2020.
According to her, wind power growth will be particularly rapid in 2020 with rates up to additional 1,000 MW.