Russia

Latest Developments

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Projects

Russia is unique due to its unified power system that connects 70 localized energy systems and allows the transfer of power across the country.  This is a unique situation that could allow the siting of renewable energy projects in some remote locations with access to transmission facilities which can deliver power to more densely populated areas.  The overwhelming size of Russia also implies a strong development potential for all renewable energy resources. 

Russia has excellent potential for wind power generation. An attempt to utilize just 25 percent of its total potential would yield some 175,000 MW of power.   The highest wind energy potential is concentrated along seacoasts, in the vast territories of steppes and in the mountains. 

The overall technical potential of biomass is estimated as 35 million toe, which, if converted to electrical power, could generate nearly 15,000 MWe. This includes sewage sludge, cattle manure, and lumber waste.  With the reconstruction of pulp and paper plants, the use of wood waste is also becoming more prevalent. 

Similarly, hydro potential is quite large with 9 percent of the world’s hydro resources concentrated on Russian soil.  Hydropower makes up 21 percent of total generating capacity and there is a large potential for small to medium hydro power projects.  Geothermal potential is also high, with theoretical resource estimates of high temperature (>90 C) steam, water and brine at greater than 3,000 MWe.  Solar potential is reasonable despite the country’s location in the northern latitudes.  The highest solar potential is in the southern regions. 

Development of renewable energy projects is hindered by the lack of a legislative mandate (renewable portfolio standard or feed-in prices), low electric and heat tariffs, low public demand, and the overall lack of investment capital due to economic instability.  Nevertheless, the shear magnitude of the renewable energy potential qualifies Russia as a leading candidate for development.

View 2002 Country Notes (1.23 MB pdf)