In the 12-month period from August 2024 to July 2025, Russia's electricity consumption illustrates a significant reliance on fossil energy. More than 60% of electricity comes from fossil-based sources, primarily gas and coal, which together account for approximately 63.87% of the total. Gas alone makes up about 45%, while coal contributes almost 18%. In contrast, low-carbon or clean electricity sources contribute close to a third of the total, with low-carbon energy accounting for 36.13%. Nuclear power is the largest clean source at about 19%, while hydropower provides around 17%. This means that while Russia is utilizing substantial clean energy, fossil fuels still dominate, reflecting a significant area for potential growth and enhancement in low-carbon electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Russia?
Electricity consumption in Russia has seen a decline relative to its previous record. The total electricity consumption per person reached 7967 kWh in 2025, which is a decrease compared to the previous high of 8351 kWh per person in 2024. This represents a drop of 383 kWh per person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has decreased, with the latest figure at 2878 kWh per person, down from the record 3035 kWh per person in 2021, a decrease of 157 kWh per person. Such declines in both overall and low-carbon electricity are concerning, as they indicate a need for renewed efforts to expand electricity generation, especially from low-carbon sources, to keep up with future energy demands and the global push towards sustainability.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Russia can pursue the expansion of existing nuclear facilities. Nuclear power is a major clean energy source in the country and can be further developed. Lessons can be drawn from regions where low-carbon energy is widely adopted. For instance, France and Slovakia have seen substantial success with nuclear energy contributing 69% and 64% of their electricity, respectively. This demonstrates the potential for nuclear to dominate in a similar fashion within Russia. On the other hand, for diversifying clean energy, exploring solar energy options could provide significant opportunities. Regions like Nevada and Lebanon, where solar accounts for around 29% and 31% respectively, show that solar can become a meaningful contributor to the electricity mix. Emulating such robust examples of low-carbon adoption could assist Russia in enhancing its clean electricity portfolio effectively.
History
Over time, Russia has seen various trends in its low-carbon electricity generation. The late 1980s witnessed significant growth in nuclear power, but the early 1990s were marked by notable declines, reflecting substantial challenges during that period. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, nuclear energy witnessed a recovery, supported by additional contributions from hydropower. The 2010s and onwards have seen a pattern of rises and falls in hydropower generation with significant enhancements in certain years like 2020. However, the consistent drop in hydropower observed lately, such as in 2025 and earlier, underlines the importance of stable and continuous investment in sustainable energy. By addressing these fluctuations and focusing on expanding low-carbon sources like nuclear and solar, Russia can strive towards a more stable and green electricity supply.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.