Green transition – it is the only sustainable path to success

The question remains whether these two different laws are enough to put energy efficiency as a top priority in the fight for energy stability. The fact that Serbia spends two-and-a-half times more electricity than the global average per unit of GDP (we believe that the data is similar in the region as well) should serve as an argument to decidedly place the reduction of energy consumption as a top priority.

(Obrad Tadic, the CEO of Smart Energy Investment)

Are we satisfied to get new energy, that came from the conversion of another type of energy or are we, as the saying goes, happier and more successful because we need less energy? This isn`t only a philosophical issue, because it isn`t hard to simulate the effects of the scenario on the society as a whole where we reduce the consumption per unit of GDP. It also isn`t hard to simulate opposite effects where we purely satisfy our needs by increasing the energy production without previously urgently reducing the energy consumption.

Production resources in the entire region that we might employ are not promising, despite the assurances that we have unlimited amount of solar, water and wind power, biomass... Developed countries have first organized and balanced the energy consumption as the primary source of green energy and then transitioned to production of energy from new sources. Apart from the said statutory basis for setting priorities, financial basis played a significant role too.

Through our experience in the projects of reconstruction of public street lighting in local self-governments, we confirmed that investing in energy efficiency is more justified than investing in renewables. These public-private partnerships are more likely to yield benefits from investments for both sides (public and private) because the construction investment operations are simpler and “new” conserved energy is readily available. Economic effect on the society are more significant. Apart from energy and financial savings, long-term qualitative outcomes such as increase in quality,comfort and safety are also achieved.

So, the methodologies that operate on “value for money” principle shift to the more advanced “value for people”principle that helps to reach Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) faster. We gladly point out that the average price our partners pay per directly saved mWh is a bit below 90 euros. The price is fixed for the duration of the project and all expenses are included (excise taxes and fees). This is the value that they will pay less to the supplier presuming that the disregarded investment costs and free maintenance are included in the price.

This value is equivalent to the “spot “ market price lower than 70 euros per mWh. By following trends from the spot market it isn`t hard to deduce the importance of the fixed price of surplus energy that our projects provide. That energy is the new gross domestic product, derived from lower energy consumption, that can be sold at a higher price. The surplus energy is generated without building or exploiting new energy facilities and sets conditions for the product export.

Green transition – this is the only sustainable road to success, and above all, survival, that should have energy consumption at its core, because conserved energy is the best energy according to all parameters.