"We live in real conditions"
Investments in the Kherson region, the development of transport infrastructure, the provision of electricity to the region and the protection of critical facilities remain key areas of the region's work. On September 3, on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (WEF), the Governor of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, told Izvestia about the growth of investments, the construction of industrial parks, the transition to decentralized energy, preparations for a possible blackout and measures to protect infrastructure.
"Business likes silence, but they have to work"
— You stated that investments in the Kherson region increased 11 times, exceeding 64 billion rubles. A large-scale project was presented by a branch of the RBE company. Which other companies have invested in the development of the region and in which areas?
— Well, you know, I can only say a huge thank you to them — to all those companies that, even in such difficult conditions, which are front-line, nevertheless look to the future and are working to develop and realize their investments and their intentions.
They are doing this work now at the design stage, because it is generally logistically unprofitable to conduct active production or commercial activities: the enemy is intensifying attacks on peaceful and civilian objects. It exerts such pressure that constrains the production process itself.
Nevertheless, even here at the Eastern Economic Forum, we have come to extend all the intentions and contracts that were concluded earlier. And I'll tell you this: our interests extend not only to attracting investments, but also to the opportunity, along with these investments, to receive those new products that are now urgently needed for the Kherson region.
— Do you expect an increase in investments by the end of the year?
— Well, they already are. We can already see that there has been growth over the past 8 months, and therefore the pace will not decrease by the end of the year. And I emphasize that all this is happening in conditions of constant military opposition.
You know, it was kind of surprising at first, but it's not quite right to name those companies that come in, because business likes silence. And they have to work in loud environments. They are looking to the future.
Therefore, I am sure that there will be an increase in digital terms, in the number of investment processes and facilities.
— A new transport and economic complex with an industrial park and a public main center is currently being built in the Kherson region. Are there plans to scale its work to the whole of Russia and, perhaps, integrate it into some international logistics services?
— Well, you know, the Kherson region is, in general, traditionally a transport or transit region, given its geographical location. Logistics chains have always passed through the Kherson region towards the Black and Azov Seas, towards the Crimea. An overland corridor to Crimea is possible only through the territory of the Kherson region.
In the same way, these flows continued: if to the north, then this is Russia, if to the south, then the Crimea and already the countries of the Middle East and, in general, the whole globe.
Therefore, modern industrial parks, which will provide opportunities for storage, processing and further shipment of the same products from Kherson farmers or other products, are extremely necessary. There are not enough of them in the territory of the Kherson region.
Therefore, we have already looked at a second location for the industrial park. The first one is already being mastered, there are already investors who are engaged in this development. Now we have selected the second one and are placing it precisely in those places where there is good accessibility of roads and railways and proximity to the sea coast.
— What volumes are planned now?
— If we talk about the volume of project work, it is more than 11 billion rubles of project work alone, and the total volume of these investments will obviously exceed 100 billion rubles. But it takes time.
"This is the future"
— Does the Kherson region need any new products now in connection with the current situation? And in what areas are you interested in attracting investments?
— First of all, we need products related to countering enemy drones, which constantly carry out attacks on the territory of the region. And as you know, it is the East Asian region that produces most of the components for anti-drone systems. That's why I'm interested in it here.
Also, now, given that we are moving to delocalize the generation of electric energy due to the fact that the enemy is putting pressure on this part and does not allow us to work calmly, we will attract and restore alternative energy supply systems — delocalized, that is, small-sized ones that can even be installed in one apartment or one house.
Such contacts have already been made here, too.: who is producing now, who is starting to produce such equipment. It's a perspective.
— Will all these be private investments too?
— Of course, most of these are private investments. But at this stage, the Government of the Russian Federation is now providing financial support to the residents of the region so that they can start purchasing and installing alternative sources of electricity for their living quarters, small production facilities, and agricultural facilities, of which there are many in the Kherson region.
For example, even the same milk needs to be stored — you need electricity to cool it. That's why we have all this at the forefront now.
— So we are talking about a transition to a more decentralized energy supply system?
— This is not only, of course, in the territory where the fighting is taking place. I think that's the future. Just like now, the whole world is gradually moving from internal combustion engines to electric cars.
Similarly, electricity production will obviously be delocalized and will move towards minimization: from large stations and large power transmission lines to small—sized sources of electricity generation.
"Is that master bad or is that warlord bad who doesn't think about the worst-case scenario"
— Recently, end-to-end power outages have been taking place in the Kherson region. You have already partially touched on this topic. In case of increased attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, did they prepare the region for a scenario of, say, a complete shutdown?
- of course. You know, the boss is bad or the military commander is bad, who does not think about the worst-case scenario and what he will do in this case.
Therefore, together with the government and our executive bodies, we are considering options for even a complete blackout. And in this case, how will we ensure life in the region?
Life in the region is, of course, primarily about the residents and their living conditions. At the same time, it is very important how children can learn in these conditions, because along with the limited supply of electricity, the possibilities of communication, including the Internet, are also limited.
At the same time, of course, we are thinking and planning how we will supply the population with fuel, food, and basic necessities. These plans are being developed and will be used if necessary.
Even now, unfortunately, we live in real conditions almost daily. We have quite a large number of settlements, and residents remain without electricity.
This is bad, this is such an unusual situation, but we understand that while a special military operation is underway, the enemy will do everything to, as they say, prevent us from living. But he won't be able to completely stop us from living, because we know what needs to be done, and we're already making plans.
Yes, it is difficult, and I emphasize: It's hard, but we'll get through it.
— What is the supply of high-power generators for, say, hospitals and communications facilities?
— All social facilities are provided with alternative energy sources. All facilities related to water supply are also provided with appropriate alternative sources.
Well, at the same time, a sufficient supply of fuel is being created, and we are working on a lot of options for its delivery. Not just so that it can be stored, but so that it can stay in the area.
— You spoke about the support of residents in purchasing alternative energy sources. How big is this program now?
— Now the Government of the Russian Federation is providing financial support to residents of the region so that they can start purchasing and installing alternative sources of electricity for their residential premises, small production facilities and agricultural facilities. This is now one of the tasks that we have at the cutting edge.
— The shelling of the Left Bank and attacks on civilian infrastructure continue. Are there any plans to strengthen the protection of key TEP facilities?
— Of course. Standard forms and albums recommended by the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation have now been developed, which make it possible to provide physical or passive, so-called protection of all facilities of the fuel and energy complex and all critical infrastructure facilities quickly enough, without thinking about what needs to be done.
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