OREANDA-NEWS. July 22, 2013. Vice Prime Minister Olexandr Vilkul held a working meeting with the Executive Director of the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (CEEER) Rainer Lindner. The sides discussed the further development of the project "Energy Efficient City" in Zhovkva (Lviv region).

"Using the best European practices for the management and modernization of housing and communal services (HCS) will help to reduce energy costs. First of all, we are talking about natural gas. Reducing the cost for production and transportation of heat is the only way to not raise tariffs for the population," Olexandr Vilkul said.

He emphasized the importance of implementation of the project "Energy Efficient City".

Olexandr Vilkul noted that the project provides more efficient management of housing and communal services in 6 Ukrainian cities Zhovkva, Cherkasy, Berdyansk, Ternopil, Chernivtsi and Novovolynsk.

"The experience of the project "Energy Efficient City" will be used in other regions of Ukraine," Olexandr Vilkul said.

He noted that in the framework of the state program of modernization of municipal heat supply of Ukraine, the Government have tasked for 3 years to reduce in two times the consumption of natural gas by district heating companies.

"50% reduction in natural gas consumption will be achieved through the use of alternative energy sources, the remaining 50% by upgrading of HCS," vice Prime Minister declared.

He said that at present the analysis of the feasibility study is being carried out and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine soon will make a decision on the project.

Olexandr Vilkul stressed that Germany is one of the main partners of Ukraine in the implementation of energy-saving technologies in HCS.

"Today's meeting opens additional opportunities for the development of German-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of municipal energy efficiency," vice Prime Minister said.

In turn, Executive Director of the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (CEEER) Rainer Lindner noted that Germany is interested in cooperation with Ukraine and is ready to share its experience of managing and upgrading utilities.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine Gennadiy Temnyk.