Russian energy week international forum 2019 outcomes. REW-2019

Abstract

Russian Energy Week International Forum (REW) was established by order of the Russian Government (27 September 2016). The first and second REW was held in 2017, immediately becoming the most important energy efficiency event in Russia or abroad. In 2019, the Forum was held from 2 to 5 October in the Manege Central Exhibition Hall in Moscow. The Forum is being held to demonstrate the prospects of the Russian fuel and energy industry and unlock the potential of international cooperation in energy. The Forum will serve as a platform for a discussion of the main challenges faced by the energy sector and topical problems involving the development of: gas industry; oil industry; coal industry; petrochemistry; electricity; energy conservation and increased energy efficiency. The Forum was held with the support of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, the Government of Moscow, and the Roscongress Foundation. The central event of the first day of the Russian Energy Week was the "Energy Partnership for Sustainable Growth"plenary session attended by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The Forum business programme was based on discussions touching upon digital transformation of the industry, development of the coal market, nuclear energy, new pricing trends at international oil markets, prospects of cooperation between fuel and energy companies and defense industry complex for import substitution, technological development and environmental security of the energy market. The Russian energy track agenda was widely presented at such sessions as 'Towards Leadership in the Global Energy Mix:"The Development of Global Energy and the Future of Coal","Nuclear Energy as an Integral Element of the Sustainable Future Agenda","Further Regulation of the Russian Power Grid: Target Model and Amendments to the Development Strategy". The sessions featured representatives of both Russian and foreign companies. The main programme of the Forum included over 70 events in various formats, such as the plenary session, panel sessions, roundtables, lectures, meetings of industry experts etc. 417 speakers took part in the Forum business programme. The paper presents the review of REW 2019 devoted to the coal industry, including a panel sessions "The development of global energy and the future of coal"and "Development strategy of the Russian coal industry to 2035: a new perspective". The events unfolding before us in the global energy sector are nothing short of a revolution. The rapid development of technologies and increasingly stringent environmental standards are creating new scenarios for the development of the global fuel and energy industry. Just 30 years ago, the future of the coal industry appeared safe and certain. With the depletion of hydrocarbon reserves, it was coal that was supposed to take up the mantel as the main source of energy for households, transport and industry, and as a raw material for the chemical industry. Yet today, in connection with the global climate agenda and the latest industrial revolution, the coal industry is set to be quickly wound down, first in Europe, and then in other parts of the world. The paper presents answers to questions: How strong are the arguments against the development of the coal industry globally? Does the development of the industry run counter to the UN Sustainable Development Goals? Which industry trends are most attractive to investors? Which coal markets are showing the highest growth? Does the industry expect any new scientific breakthroughs? Where is the potential for future growth in the coal industry? What can the industry do to help to restore public confidence in coal?