REF.UA, II Ukrainian Renewable Energy Forum, a Key Branch Event Of Alternative Fuels and Energy, Was Held In Kiev on the 14th and 15th of October

Online, October 21, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The Forum brought together key players from the international and the Ukrainian market of alternative fuels and energy, representatives of state offices and local authorities, international financial institutions, investors and developers of investment projects in renewable energy, engineering companies and technology centers.

II Ukrainian Renewable Energy Forum was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Fuel and Energy of Ukraine, the Committee of Verkhovna Rada on Fuel and Energy Complex, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Ukraine, the National Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine and the Ukrainian State Agency for Investment and Development.

It is noteworthy that the Forum presented formally a number of projects in renewable energy in Ukraine, such as the drafts of the first solar power plants in the Crimea, which were built by the Activ Solar Company. In addition, the Forum hosted a presentation of the first Ukrainian company producing polycrystalline silicon.

During the two days of the Forum 68 speakers from 14 countries made the reports representing segments of solar and wind energy, small hydropower, bioenergetics, alternative fuels, the experts in project financing and the representatives of various ministries and departments.

"The main objectives of the Forum is to build the Ukrainian civilized market of renewable energy, to attract the investments in the Ukrainian renewable energy, to create the effective target regulatory frameworks, and It's quite possible only by developing the productive platform for sharing the experiences and seeking business partners. We are pleased that the REF.UA was just such a business platform", commented the Head of the Ukrainian Association of Market Participants of Alternative Fuels and Energy of Ukraine (APEU), Mr. Vitaliy Daviy, the summary of the event .

According to the president of the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), Dr Anil Shreedhar Kane (India), today Ukraine exercise leadership in development of the Ukrainian branch legislation the CIS-countries and the many Asian countries.
"Ukraine has a "green" tariff attracting a lot of foreign investors who specialize in renewable energy. In this regard, the emergence of large wind farms in Ukraine is a question of the next time", - said the president of WWEA.. Mr. A. Kane also commended the representative level of the II Ukrainian Renewable Energy Forum stressing that "an event of this scale significantly accelerates the development of the industry." "I'll be pleased to come to the Forum next year", he said.

One of the leaders of the Spanish Association of Renewable Energy AVAESEN, Mr. Luis Vera, noted that "the strengthening political stability in Ukraine and the developing legal framework can guarantee foreign investment attraction. The entry list of the Forum is deemed to be a confirmation of this fact."

The other specialist observed improvement of the sectorial investment climate in Ukraine.

"Ukraine is in the middle of the rating among the CIS countries on attractiveness of renewable energy development in the country. The legal framework for the renewable energy in Ukraine is gradually developing, and the investment risks are decreasing", noted Jim Fitzgerald, Manager of Ernst & Young, in his report.

Deputy Head of the National Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine, Mr. Ivan Varga, while commenting the results of the Forum, said: "The attendance of more than 50% of foreign specialists among the delegates to the Forum allows to rename the event in the international forum on renewable energy. The Forum, of course, made a significant contribution into development of the industry and, mostly, consolidation of a positive image of Ukraine in the eyes of foreign investors."

The President of the European Small Hydropower Association, Mr. Marko Gospodzhinacki also expressed his willingness to develop projects on the territory of Ukraine and stated that "The potential of Ukraine in development of small hydro power has been realized only by a few percent. In Slovenia, for example, the installed capacity of plants exceeds the rate many times."

" For me, the Second Ukrainian Renewable Energy Forum 2010 afforded a very good opportunity to gather in-depth information on this emerging renewable energy market. The well organized event gave an overview of the macro economic situation, the opportunities as well as the risks of investment in this market segment in Ukraine. The thoroughly chosen presentations from national and international speakers assisted in clarifying my multiple questions concerning the market framework. The Forum afforded a very good opportunity to meet many various companies and organizations. I think I highly benefited from participating in the event and congratulate the organizers to their achievement." - summed up Mr. Jan Knaak, Project Manager of the Federal German Association of Solar Industry (BSW-Solar).

Summing up the II Ukrainian Renewable Energy Forum, Yuliya Berezovskaya, Project Manager and CEO of the Fuel Alternative, said: "We want to show to the players of the alternative energy market the prospects if the chosen field and to demonstrate the potential of Ukraine for development of existing and creation of new projects in this area. Inviting to the Forum the world experts in renewable energy, we set ourselves two main tasks. The first one is to introduce the Ukrainian companies to the world good practices, solutions of the existing problems and the most effective development strategies. The second one is to show to foreign visitors that now Ukraine is a very progressive country with rapidly growing market of renewable energy. Then the number of successful negotiations at the Forum allows to suggest that our efforts are justified."
Organizers of the Forum: the consulting company in the field of renewable energy Fuel Alternative and Association of Alternative Fuels and Energy Market Participants of Ukraine (APEU).
KPMG was a Brand Sponsor of the Forum.
KPMG is one of the world's leading providers of audit, tax and advisory services.

Activ Solar was the Sponsor of the Solar Energy Section.
Activ Solar is engaged in manufacture of high-purity polysilicon for the solar industry with a production history dating back to 1964. The Company has a full vertical integration and is focused on the highest quality, stability and development. The Activ Solar also develops the large projects in photovoltaics and invests in creation of such projects.
The company Kvazar was the Sponsor of the Investments Session at the Forum.
"Kvazar" is the sole in Ukraine and the one of the European largest manufacturers of solar modules.

The company Gresa-Group was the Sponsor of the Wind Power Section at the Forum.

Since 2008 the Gresa-Group took the direction to development of alternative
energy sources, through appeared a brand of small wind turbines «Flamingo AERO», which went forward at a steady gait and won the consumers' affection for a short period of time. In addition the company is a dealer and installer of wind and solar power plants.
The Azov Oil Company was the Sponsor of the Vth International Conference "Alternative Fuels-2010", which was held in the framework of the Forum.