OREANDA-NEWS. Metinvest Group participated in the 5th International Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Forum, REF-2013 Kyiv, the largest event in the sustainable energy sector in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Oleg Proskuryakov considered the construction of Yenakiieve Steel's sinter plant to be an innovative approach to raising energy efficiency during the opening of the forum.

He also noted Metinvest's commitment to social responsibility in investments by resolving environmental problems in the cities where it operates via the introduction of energy saving technologies.

Metinvest is a strategic partner of REF-2013 Kyiv.

Yuriy Zinchenko, general director of Ilyich Iron and Steel Works of Mariupol, gave a presentation at the forum on Metinvest's energy saving projects like the construction of new PCI units (pulverised coal injection units for blast furnaces). Specifically, these units have already had a significant economic and environmental effect for his plant. Similar units are operational at Zaporizhstal, under construction at Yenakiieve Steel, and being designed for Azovstal.

“When all four units are operational, the annual savings of Metinvest Group enterprises on natural gas will be 890 million cubic meters,” Zinchenko said. “As a result, Ukraine's annual consumption of natural gas will fall by 2%, the metallurgical sector's consumption by 22%, and Donetsk region's consumption by 12%.”

REF-Kyiv participants include the managers of the leading companies in renewable energy and energy efficiency, state officials, equipment suppliers, and developers of new technological solutions, international experts, and representatives of professional associations. The forum is supported by the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, and the State Agency for Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings of Ukraine.