Expert: Vertical farms in Arctic regions require alternative energy sources

MOSCOW, March 29. /TASS/. The organization of vertical farms to supply fresh products to the Arctic population requires alternative energy generation like, for example, wind parks or solar parks, Associate Professor at the Public Administration and Public Policy Department of the Institute of Social Sciences of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation (RANEPA), and coordinator of the Center for Development of the Arctic (PORA) Alexander Vorotnikov told TASS. "The trade-and-logistics centers in Yakutia, which participate in development of the Northern supplies system, may play the role of innovation technology centers for the regions and may process the products, made there; they could be used for organization of vertical farms to grow vegetables, herbs and even berries," he said. "Those centers must use alternative energy sources, like, for example, wind or solar parks." According to the expert, in considering alternative energy sources Yakutia’s officials also eye the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG). For this variant, the expert continued, the region must have a program to develop and use LNG in Yakutia. "The Russian government supports the implementation of such projects under a new federal project - Breakthrough to LNG Markets - which refers both to the energy and high-technology aspects of replacing the import," he said. Earlier, the Russian president’s envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev said the growing prices, the growing costs of loans and the changed transport routes must not influence the Northern supplies organization and must not affect the people in the Far East, who depend on those supplies. The authorities have been considering subsidies for the interest rates and also organization of special container routes. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said earlier Russia planned to ensure carbon neutrality by 2060. The president called this objective realistic, stressing it opens new opportunities to businesses. Read more