Alexey Kulapin is the Director General of the Russian Energy Agency (REA) Federal State Budgetary Institution of the Ministry of Energy of Russia. The Agency supports the development of Russian energy technologies and facilitates the solution of strategic tasks in the fuel and energy complex (FEC) and related industries.

In an exclusive interview with TV BRICS, he spoke about the need to coordinate efforts to promote the interests of the BRICS countries in the global energy markets.

What are the five nations doing to ensure sustainable energy development?

In 2019, the BRICS energy research platform was established at Russia’s initiative. It was supported by all the countries in the group. Its main task is to carry out comprehensive expert and analytical work that aims to study the entire fuel and energy complex of the countries. First of all, it analyses trends in the development of the energy complex of the BRICS countries, prepares medium-term forecasts, prepares new concepts in the field of energy and publishes the relevant results of these works.

Today, given the changing situation in the global energy markets, we are facing an important task – to form a joint agenda and coordinate efforts to promote the interests of the BRICS countries in the global energy markets.

What is the purpose of research related to the development of the BRICS fuel and energy complex?

Every year the platform releases several joint studies on the development of the BRICS fuel and energy complex. The purpose of these works is to identify a list of mutual interests of the five member states for their further joint elaboration. All studies are approved by the BRICS energy ministers and reflect the joint vision of the BRICS countries on the prospects for the development of the energy sector. The key flagship product is the BRICS Energy Review, which is published from 2020. It is the most comprehensive vision and view of energy development. It is important to say that its forecast part is formed on the basis of information provided by the countries on the basis of their own data.

In this way, this forecast is an unbiased product and reflects an objective vision of energy development prospects. This is useful and important for the business of our countries, for building long-term investment projects. Another product that should be mentioned is the BRICS Technological Development Priorities Review, which is also set annually. It contains the most promising technologies and technological development tracks.

This product is updated annually and is based on a survey of key players from the main companies in the fuel and energy sector of the BRICS countries. About 60 companies took part in the latest survey. The report includes about 550 most promising technologies.

What research is planned for the near future?

There are 14 promising areas. Among them are the development of hydrogen energy, development of smart grids, issues of energy complex management, standardisation and regulation in the fuel and energy complex. And for each direction, leading countries have been identified, which are responsible for organising research and other activities. At the moment Russia has taken the role of a leader in two areas: the development of liquefied natural gas production and its application, and the most important and urgent topic today – the development of hydrogen energy. On the Russian side, about 50 experts representing key companies in the fuel and energy sector, as well as university communities and academic science are taking part in the work.

Photo: TV BRICS