Energy Efficiency event kicks off in Minsk

Energy demand is steadily increasing: by 2040 developing countries alone will use double the electricity developed countries use today. Globally, energy generation is slower than demand. To satisfy the growing need for sustainable energy by developed and developing economies, electric power will need to be used smarter to do more, in better ways, with less. Energy efficiency is one of the low-hanging fruits in helping to address the challenge of providing enough energy for all.

“Regulation and programmes that measure the energy efficiency of devices are important,” says Frans Vreeswijk, General Secretary, IEC. “But by themselves they have absolutely no impact on actual energy consumption. To achieve real energy efficiency, practical solutions are needed that make a tangible difference on the ground. Mechanisms that help improve efficiency need to be directly built into devices and systems. Technologies that reduce energy consumption need to be given preference to significantly impact outcomes. IEC work enables exactly that."

Dr Junji Nomura, President, IEC, underlines: “Energy efficiency needs to be looked at in a systems approach. If one only improves the energy efficiency of a single apartment or office in a building, savings are likely to remain insignificant. Only when the whole building is rethought in terms of efficiency, will this change the broader picture.”

Stakeholders from every industrialised and most developed countries in the world actively support the IEC; some since its inception in 1906. By participating in IEC work, companies find it easier to innovate and spread energy efficient technologies globally. They are also better able to collaborate on increasingly complex systems with companies both in their country and outside. With 166 countries the IEC has truly global reach. Belarus and other countries that participate in the IEC use IEC International Standards as a strategic tool to grow their exports. This approach helps them overcome hurdles to global trade, allowing companies to sell products to a large number of markets.

The IEC General Meeting in Minsk was opened by Mr Andrey Kobyakov, Prime-Minister, Belarus. In his opening address he underlined: “Belarus pursues strategic goals to increase the competitiveness and innovation power of the country and make more rational use of its resources. Participation in the IEC allows Belarus to reduce cost and simplifies participation in global trade.” Belarus has been a full Member of the IEC since 1993 and is participating actively in standardisation and conformity assessment work with a view to of developing high-quality industrial products and stimulate the country’s ability to export globally. Kobyakov further said: “This is the first time that Belarus has been hosting a global event of this scale... it is symbolic and can contribute to Belarus’ image as a country with investment opportunities and innovation power.”

Vreeswijk adds: "Many Belarus companies already participate actively in the IEC but now more SMEs would benefit to join the ranks and influence International Standards to make IEC Standards even more relevant for Belarus industries.”

According to Dr Nomura: “Participation in IEC work, not only increases the flexibility and corporate efficiency of international companies, it also facilitates technology innovation and helps build bigger markets, faster for many small companies. This in turn helps build national economies.”