Serbian-Japanese energy efficiency project worth 1m USD presented

The joint project of the governments of Serbia and Japan, worth 1m USD, which is going to contribute to more efficient use of energy in Serbia, was presented today (November 4, 2009) in Belgrade.

The Minister of Energy and Mining of Serbia, Petar Škundrić, said on that occasion that the study for application of the energy management system in Serbia would improve energy efficiency and ensure rational use of energy.

- Due to constant growth of prices of fuel in the global market and the global warming problems, Serbia has realized the significance of improvement of energy efficiency and rational use of energy - Škundrić pointed out.

As he explained, that should contribute to safer supply of energy, improvement of the competitiveness of Serbian economy and the citizens' living standard, as well as reduction of influence of energy sector on environment.

Thanks to the strategic documents of Serbia, as he pointed out, the need has been recognized for introduction of the energy management system in the energy consumption sectors, primarily for large energy consumers, as one of the priority measures for improvement of energy efficiency.

- Having in mind the long experience of Japan in that field, we have asked the Government of Japan for help in realization of the study for application of the energy management system - he pointed out.

Project Manager Tetsuya Maekawa said that that project should represent the scheme for energy management in Serbia, that it should make the action plan for its realization and present the energy management in the facilities in the country, as well as provide the training for energy managers.

Realization of the project in Serbia started in August 2009, and its completion is expected at the end of year 2010.

The project is financed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the main adviser is the Tokyo Power Supply Company (TEPCO).

The project was presented today in the presence of the Ambassador of Japan to Serbia, Toshio Cunzozaki, the representative of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, Satoru Kurosava, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, Miloš Bugarin.