Iskra-Volga Technopark Becomes a Venue for International Industrial Dialogue at the ENERGOPROM Forum

As part of the ENERGOPROM Forum, official delegations from Yemen, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan visited the Iskra-Volga Technopark in Zelenodolsk. The guests were shown the manufacturing, engineering and testing capabilities of the site, as well as the solutions of its residents for the power industry, transport and urban infrastructure. The visits were devoted to familiarisation with the industrial potential of Tatarstan and to discussing areas of further cooperation. The visit programme involved the companies SKAT, Promenergo, E-PROM, ElektroOptima and the Iskra-Volga Research and Testing Centre. The delegations were shown the production of cable fittings, metering devices, switchboard and substation equipment, as well as charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The capabilities of the technopark's testing facilities and the formats of production localisation were presented separately. The delegation of Yemen was headed by the Minister of Oil and Natural Resources of the Republic of Yemen H.E. Mohammed Abdullah Ali Bamakaa and the Head of the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources Raed Younes Abdulqawi Al-Aghbari. Following the visit, the Yemeni side confirmed its interest in developing cooperation with Russian enterprises and in further studying the solutions presented. Minister of Oil and Natural Resources of Yemen H.E. Mohammed Abdullah Ali Bamakaa: “We can see the path your country has taken to provide itself with such solutions. Yemen is interested in developing cooperation with Russia, and in May this year we plan to return together with the Minister of Energy.” The technopark was also visited by a delegation from Uzbekistan headed by Minister of Energy Jurabek Tursunpulatovich Mirzamakhmudov. It included heads of enterprises and of the dispatch organisations of the country's power system. The meeting addressed the competencies of the residents, the development of the production site and the prospects for an exchange of experience. Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov: “We highly appreciate the solutions presented at the technopark. We were impressed by the integrated approach to the development of the site, the high level of the residents' competencies and the new technological developments. We would particularly note the mobility, compactness and speed of work of these companies. We see good opportunities for further cooperation, and our technical specialists will work together with colleagues from Tatarstan.” On the same day, Iskra-Volga hosted a meeting with a delegation from Tajikistan that included Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Shofakir Juma, Head of the International Relations Department of the relevant ministry Parviz Yakhyoev and Deputy CEO of OJSC SHIB Bakhodur Usmonov. The parties considered possible formats of practical cooperation, the training of specialists and the arrangement of further talks on individual areas. Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan Daler Shofakir Juma: “We were particularly interested in the competencies concentrated at the technopark — from deep localisation of production to the opportunities for joint promotion of products. We also discussed financing, the exchange of experience and the training of specialists. In order to work out the details of further engagement, video conferences on specific areas of cooperation will be arranged in the near future. We expect this work to become the basis for strengthening the partnership between Tajikistan and Russia in the energy sector.” Particular attention was given to the visit of the delegation from Kyrgyzstan headed by Minister of Energy Taalaibek Omukeevich Ibraev. The main interest concerned the solutions of E-PROM in the field of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The Kyrgyz side stated its interest not only in supplies of equipment, but also in the establishment of a joint venture for the assembly of chargers on the territory of the republic. Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic Taalaibek Omukeevich Ibraev: “The impression of the products presented is very good. I would particularly note the chargers for electric vehicles. This area is of practical interest to us. We are ready not only to sign a contract, but also to open a joint venture in the Kyrgyz Republic for the assembly of chargers. This proposal was voiced at the meeting with the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan and received his support, as well as the support of our president. We want to establish this production at home.” As part of the programme, the foreign delegations were also shown the special-purpose vehicles of Grid Company JSC and the lean manufacturing practices used in the work of its field crews. These solutions are aimed at improving the efficiency of processes and reducing production losses. The Iskra-Volga Technopark operates as a full-cycle industrial and technological site. It brings together production buildings, an engineering centre, research laboratories, a prototyping centre and testing infrastructure. This format makes it possible to run projects from development and testing through to series production. The series of international visits held as part of the ENERGOPROM Forum demonstrated the interest of foreign partners in the solutions of the technopark's residents.