Energy-efficient technologies should be implemented by "iron hand" - Medvedev
BARVIKHA. Sept 18 (Interfax) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered to the Chief of state corporation Rostekhnologii (Russian Technologies), Sergei Chemezov, to start implementing energy-efficient technologies in the manufacturing, housing and utilities sectors.
The president had a working meeting with the Rostekhnologii chief at his countryside residence in Barvikha on Friday.
"Energy efficiency is a strategic topic for the country's development," Medvedev said.
"Not long ago I gave instructions on this matter because the situation is difficult, we are wasting a huge of amount of energy both in production and in the housing and utilities sectors," the president said.
"New technologies should be used here, and in some cases should be not just offered to the consumer but implemented by an "iron hand," otherwise we will never switch to these technologies. This concerns, in particular, the use of light bulbs," Medvedev said.
The president ordered Chemezov to deal with these issues.
By the end of 2010 Russia will be producing its own light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, the corporation chief told the president. "The national holding company plans to make light fittings using LEDs. These LEDs are made by the Svetlana factory that is also part of one of our holding companies. These will be almost 100% Russian products, which is important from the viewpoint of creating energy-efficient production and saving electricity," he said.
"I think that by the end of the next year we will start manufacturing finished products," he said.