Alternative energy development in Ukraine beats records

Over first nine months of 2013 with the help of renewable energy sources 285.7 million kWh of electricity was produced in Crimea. This corresponds to 30% of total energy production in the peninsula. Experts say that from January to September of 2013 solar power plants generated 251.2 million kWh, wind farms - 34.6 million kWh, together accounting for 6.6% of the total energy consumption of the peninsula, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

In early November, the total installed capacity of "green" energy facilities in Crimea reached 295.5 MW, including solar power plants (227.3 MW) and wind farms (68.2 MW).

Experts say Crimea has a great potential for development of alternative energy, especially wind and solar. But the construction of alternative power plants requires huge investments. For example, to build additional facilities with 1 MW capacity, it is necessary to encircle the entire Crimea with high voltage networks, build new substations, and these are investment programs which cost billions. By the way, a loan of over a billion dollars received by Ukraine from China, was given for the development of alternative energy, experts remind.

According to experts, by 2020 Ukraine will be able to increase the share of renewable energy to 15-20% of total electricity production in the country.

There is a good reason for such an optimistic forecast. Even today, the pace of alternative energy development in Ukraine beats all records. In 2013, the total installed capacity of Ukrainian solar power plants (SPPs) increased by 51.4%. And during three years, the total capacity of solar power plants in Ukraine increased by over 100 times. Speaking of wind farms, Ukraine can serve as an example for other countries. According to experts, the wind power industry growth rate in Ukraine is the second largest in the world.

Such a rapid growth in the alternative energy sector can be explained by a noticeable influx of private investment in this area. The total amount is over 20 billion USD. And by 2015, the amount of investment in "green" energy sector of Ukraine, according to experts, could reach 5 billion USD.