From June 2025 through May 2026, fossil fuels supplied almost two-thirds of Russia’s electricity consumption, while low-carbon sources provided about 37%. Gas was the largest source, accounting for roughly 44%, followed by nuclear at 19%, coal at 18%, and hydropower at 17%. Nuclear and hydropower together supplied almost all of Russia’s clean electricity. This leaves substantial scope to expand low-carbon generation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, whose use contributes to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Russia?

Russia’s latest figures do not show electricity consumption reaching new heights, although comparisons with historic records alone cannot establish the year-on-year trend. The latest 2026 consumption figure is about 7,970 kWh per person, roughly 70 kWh—or just under 1%—below the 2024 record of about 8,040 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation is about 2,940 kWh per person, roughly 96 kWh, or 3%, below its 2021 record of about 3,035 kWh. These shortfalls are concerning: growth in clean electricity is needed to support electrification and rising demand from activities such as AI.

Suggestions

Russia should expand its established nuclear generation base while accelerating solar and wind deployment. Nearby Belarus and Finland each generate about 38% of their electricity from nuclear, while France produces about two-thirds, demonstrating the potential for a much larger nuclear contribution. Finland also generates a quarter of its electricity from wind, offering a particularly relevant northern-climate example; the US state of North Dakota obtains about 36% from wind, providing another useful reference for suitable inland regions. For solar, Germany generates about 20% of its electricity from this source and Estonia about 15%, showing that solar can make a meaningful contribution beyond the sunniest locations. Combining nuclear expansion with geographically targeted solar and wind projects would strengthen Russia’s clean electricity supply.

History

Russia’s low-carbon electricity history features strong additions alongside substantial setbacks. Nuclear generation increased by about 30 TWh across 1987 and 1988, but fell by 18 TWh in 1990 and another 21 TWh in 1994—deeply disappointing losses of clean electricity output. Nuclear subsequently rebounded, with gains of about 10 TWh in 1996, 17 TWh in 1999, 9 TWh in 2000, and 15 TWh in 2015. Hydropower has fluctuated more widely: a 22 TWh decline in 1996 was followed by gains of roughly 11 TWh in 2001 and 20 TWh in 2004, interspersed with declines in 2002 and 2008. Further gains came in 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2020, including increases of around 15–17 TWh in the latter three years. More recently, hydropower fell by 22 TWh in 2022, recovered by about 10 TWh in 2024, and declined by 11 TWh in 2025, underscoring the need for sustained expansion of low-carbon electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Jun 2025 – May 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.