Russian Electric Power Industry. Current State of the Sector.

In 2022, the total electricity production in the Russian Federation amounted to approximately 1,120 billion kWh, which is 1.8% higher than in 2021 (Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. Russian Energy Statistics for 2022. — Moscow: Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, 2023.). The growth was driven by the recovery of economic activity after the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in export supplies. The distribution of electricity generation by type of power plant is as follows: Thermal Power Plants (TPPs):

1. Plants (TPPs):
   • Generation: 710 billion kWh.
   • Share of total generation: 63.4%.
   • Primary fuel: natural gas (about 70%), coal (about 29%), fuel oil and other fuels (about 1%) (Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. Report «Fuel and Energy Complex of Russia in 2022.» — Moscow: Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, 2023.).
   • Regional distribution: Major TPPs are located in the European part of Russia, the Urals, and Siberia, supplying electricity to industrial centers and densely populated regions.
2. Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs):
   • Generation: 210 billion kWh.
   • Share of total generation: 18.8%.
   • Number of operational reactors: 38, combined into 11 NPPs.
   • Features: NPPs operate at high capacity and stability, providing base-load generation. In 2022, new reactors of the «3+» generation were commissioned at the Leningrad and Novovoronezh NPPs (State Corporation «Rosatom.» Performance Report for 2022.).
3. Hydroelectric Power Plants (HPPs):
   • Generation: 185 billion kWh.
   • Share of total generation: 16.5%.
   • Largest HPPs: Sayano-Shushenskaya (6,400 MW), Krasnoyarsk (6,000 MW), Bratsk (4,500 MW).
   • Impact of hydrological conditions: Electricity generation at HPPs depends on river water levels. In 2022, favorable weather conditions contributed to a 2% increase in HPP generation (PJSC «RusHydro.» Annual Report for 2022.).
4. Renewable Energy Sources (RES) (excluding HPPs):
   • Generation: 15 billion kWh.
   • Share of total generation: 1.3%.
   • Growth compared to 2021: 10% increase due to the commissioning of new apacities.
   • Main types of RES:
     • Wind power: 3.5 GW of installed capacity.
     • Solar power: 1.5 GW of installed capacity.
     • Bioenergy and small HPPs: the remaining share (Association for the Development of Renewable Energy (ARRE). Statistical Review of the RES Market in Russia for 2022.).

The total electricity consumption in Russia in 2022 amounted to about 1,070 billion kWh, which is 1.6% higher than in 2021 (Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. Russian Energy Statistics for 2022.). The increase in consumption reflects the recovery of economic activity and the rising standard of living. The distribution of consumption by economic sector is as follows:

1. Industry:
   • Consumption: 480 billion kWh.
   • Share of total consumption: 44.9%.
   • Key consumer sectors:
     • Metallurgy: about 30% of industrial consumption.
     • Chemical and petrochemical industry: 20%.
     • Machinery: 15%.
     • Cement and construction industry: 10% (Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat). Energy Balance of Russia for 2022. — Moscow: Rosstat, 2023.).
2. Transport:
   • Consumption: 110 billion kWh.
   • Share: 10.3%.
   • Growth factors:
     • Electrification of railways: over 50% of the rail network is electrified.
     • Development of electric transport: an increase in the number of electric buses and electric vehicles, especially in large cities (JSC «Russian Railways.» Annual Report for 2022.).
3. Housing and Utilities (H&U) and Households:
   • Consumption: 320 billion kWh.
   • Share: 29.9%.
   • Consumption trends:
   • Growth in the use of household appliances and electronics.
   • Improved living standards.
   • The introduction of energy-saving technologies mitigates the growth, but overall consumption continues to rise.
4. Agriculture:
   • Consumption: 30 billion kWh.
   • Share: 2.8%.
   • Trends:
     • Mechanization and automation of agricultural production.
     • Use of electric irrigation and livestock systems.
5. Other Sectors (trade, services, public sector):
   • Consumption: 130 billion kWh.
   • Share: 12.1% (Rosstat. Energy Balance of Russia for 2022.).

Russia is a key player in the international electricity market, acting as a net exporter. In 2022, electricity exports amounted to about 25 billion kWh, a 10% increase compared to 2021. The growth in exports is attributed to rising demand from neighboring countries and favorable pricing conditions. Electricity imports to Russia are less than 1 billion kWh and are primarily localized, related to cross-border flows (PJSC «Inter RAO.» Annual Report for 2022.).

The current state of Russia’s energy sector demonstrates that the country is successfully maintaining and strengthening its position in the domestic and global electricity markets. The growth in electricity production and consumption reflects positive economic development trends and an improved quality of life for the population. The active development of all types of generation, including renewables, infrastructure modernization, and the adoption of innovative technologies ensure the sector’s sustainability and competitiveness.