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 dominated the mix at roughly 44%, followed by coal at about 18%. Among clean electricity sources, nuclear supplied around 19% and hydropower about 17%. Together, nuclear and hydropower accounted for almost all of Russia’s low-carbon electricity, leaving substantial scope to expand clean generation and reduce fossil-fuel dependence, climate emissions and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Russia?

Russia’s latest electricity consumption remains below its historical peak rather than setting a new growth record. The 2026 figure is about 7,970 kWh per person, around 70 kWh—or just under 1%—below the 2024 record of roughly 8,040 kWh per person. Low-carbon electricity generation is also below its peak: about 2,940 kWh per person, approximately 96 kWh, or 3%, below the 2021 record. These comparisons do not establish the latest year-on-year trend, but they show disappointing shortfalls against previous highs. Expanding clean electricity generation would help support electrification and growing demand from industries such as AI.

Suggestions

Russia should expand its established nuclear fleet while accelerating solar and wind development. Nearby regions provide useful examples: nuclear supplies about 38% of electricity in Belarus and 37% in Finland, while France demonstrates a much larger nuclear contribution at roughly two-thirds. Finland also generates a quarter of its electricity from wind, offering a relevant northern-climate example; Sweden’s wind share is similarly close to a quarter. For solar, Latvia’s share of about 21% and Germany’s 20% show that substantial contributions are possible beyond the sunniest regions. Russia could combine additional nuclear generation with solar deployment in suitable areas, wind projects in strong-resource locations, and grid expansion to deliver more clean electricity to consumers.

History

Russia’s low-carbon electricity history shows substantial gains interrupted by significant setbacks. Nuclear generation rose by about 20 TWh in 1987 and 10 TWh in 1988, before falling by 18 TWh in 1990 and 21 TWh in 1994—deeply disappointing losses of clean electricity. Nuclear growth returned with increases of roughly 10 TWh in 1996, 17 TWh in 1999 and 9 TWh in 2000, followed by another strong gain of about 15 TWh in 2015. Hydropower fluctuated considerably: a 22 TWh decline in 1996 was followed by alternating gains and losses during the 2000s, including a 20 TWh increase in 2004. Further gains of around 15–17 TWh occurred in 2013, 2016 and 2020. More recently, hydropower fell by 22 TWh in 2022, recovered by about 10 TWh in 2024, and declined by around 11 TWh in 2025, reinforcing the importance of sustained expansion across Russia’s clean electricity portfolio.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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