In Russia, the current state of electricity consumption in 2024 reveals a significant reliance on fossil fuels, but with a noteworthy portion coming from low-carbon sources. Fossil fuels, including gas and coal, account for more than half of the electricity generation, with gas contributing nearly 44% and coal around 19%. On the brighter side, almost 36% of electricity comes from low-carbon sources, demonstrating a fairly balanced energy mix when compared to some other countries. Within this low-carbon category, nuclear energy and hydropower contribute nearly equally, each providing just under 18% of the total electricity. The substantial share of nuclear and hydropower offers a strong foundation for Russia to continue its transition toward cleaner energy solutions.
Is Electricity Growing in Russia?
The trend of electricity consumption in Russia is on the rise, indicating a growing need for energy across the country. The latest data for 2024 shows that electricity consumption per person has reached 8329 kWh, setting a new benchmark compared to the previous record of 8101 kWh in 2023. This growth of 227 kWh per person highlights an increase in the overall demand for electricity, which is consistent with global trends of increased electrification and technological advancements. However, it is worth noting that while overall electricity consumption has grown, the latest low-carbon electricity generation has seen a slight drop, reaching 2993 kWh per person from a previous high of 3035 kWh in 2021. This minor decline in low-carbon generation is an area that requires attention and action to ensure a continuous push towards sustainable energy.
Suggestions
To robustly increase low-carbon electricity generation, Russia could focus on expanding its nuclear facilities, as nuclear currently accounts for a significant portion of its low-carbon energy mix. Countries like France and Slovakia have achieved remarkable percentages of low-carbon electricity from nuclear, with shares as high as 68% and 62%, respectively. By following their example, Russia could potentially boost its clean energy output while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, exploring solar power could complement existing energy sources and diversify the low-carbon portfolio. Observing the progress in countries such as Lebanon and Cyprus with solar generation could provide valuable insights for Russia in harnessing the sun's power effectively.
History
Historically, Russia's low-carbon electricity generation has experienced significant fluctuations, particularly in the nuclear sector. In the late 1980s, nuclear energy saw substantial growth, notably in 1987 and 1988, with increases of 19.5 and 10.1 TWh, respectively. However, the early 1990s marked a concerning period with a sharp decline in nuclear generation, notably in 1990 and 1994, where reductions of 18 and 21.4 TWh occurred. Despite these setbacks, there were periods of recovery, such as the late 1990s and early 2000s, highlighted by growth in both nuclear and hydropower sectors. More recently, the 2010s and early 2020s have seen a mixture of increases and decreases, demonstrating the importance of strategic planning and investment to stabilize and enhance low-carbon generation. This history underscores the necessity for Russia to remain vigilant and committed to expanding low-carbon technologies to ensure a sustainable and reliable energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.