Systemic Problems of Russia’s Electric Power Industry and Ways for Comprehensively Solving Thems

Abstract

The key problems of Russia’s electric power industry, their consequences, and ways for solving them in the medium and long term are analyzed. It is shown that these problems have mainly emerged from the liberal "reform" of the electric power industry; the disintegration of the system for managing the interconnected process of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and consumption, and the shift of targets from the social orientation of the fuel and energy complex (FEC) for securing accessible, reliable, high-quality and economically efficient power supply to consumers to achieving investment attractiveness, competitiveness and gaining profits. It is noted that the problems and objective difficulties can only be overcome through applying a systems and integrated approach to improving and developing the technological, structural, organizational, and regulatory framework of the TEC, and to securing technological and state sovereignty. The main principles of this systems approach are listed. A number of top priority measures have been proposed to achieve more efficient development and performance of Russia’s electric power industry, including renewable, distributed and space energy systems, as well as regulatory documents on stimulating reliable and high-quality power supply to consumers, manufacture and application of innovative and energy-saving equipment and technologies. Special attention is paid to the need to enhance the role of the state in managing the Unified Energy System of Russia and the TEC as a whole, which in the former Soviet Union were the most reliable and efficient ones in the world, and they should be so in the new Russia with the new capabilities of technology and with taking into account the best domestic and international practices. Noteworthy is that the development of public-and-private partnership for innovative development based on the digital transformation of the industry, revival of a competitive domestic electrical and instrument construction industry, and for creating new jobs and attracting talented young people to the electric power industry are all of great importance under the new conditions.