Maschenko S. Regional policy in the field of energy conservation in Ukraine.

The thesis is devoted to the development of theoretical, scientific, and methodological foundations for the regional policy improvement in the field of energy conservation in Ukraine aimed at increasing regions' energy efficiency and lowering the energy intensity of gross regional product. The concepts "region", "energy conservation" and "regional policy for energy conservation" are defined in the paper. Improvements are made to the process of forming the regional policy for energy conservation aimed at reducing the energy intensity of GRP and increasing Ukraine's regions' energy efficiency. An improved methodical approach to estimating the energy saving level in the Ukrainian regions is offered. Ukrainian regions are classified into groups through the introduction of an integral energy efficiency index. Classification of regions into groups on the basis of their energy conservation level is proposed with the purpose of developing SWOT analysis and making forecasts for the given groups. A system of measures and instruments, as well as a mechanism for improving the regional policy for energy conservation in accordance with the region's existing levels of energy saving, are proposed. It is proved on the example of regions with low energy savings levels that implementing the provided measures and instruments will allow to improve the regional policy in the field of energy conservation.