The fifth update of the market research from February 2022, first published in 2018, expanded the potential analysis of the use of solar energy in Russia to the Astrakhan and Tomsk Regions. Now the study contains an analysis of the potential for the development of solar energy in seven regions of Russia. The study also contains updated data and information on the Russian electricity market and current developments in the renewable energy sector.
Authors:
Tatiana Andreeva, Alik Aylarov, Ulf Losse, Lukas Shimming, Christoph Urbshat, with the support of NP "EUROSOLAR Russia"
Publisher:
eclareon GmbH
The study is a continuation and update of the fourth edition from 2021. The publication investigated the potential of solar energy in Russia, the study was conducted and written by the Berlin consulting company eclareon and supported by the German Solar Industry Association and the Russian section "EUROSOLAR". The project was funded by the German Ministry of Economy and Climate Initiatives.
From the point of view of energy policy, Russia is primarily known for its gas and oil fields and their exports. Despite the fact that the world's largest country has a huge potential for renewable energy sources, today the share of solar and wind energy in the total installed capacity is still extremely small and in 2021 amounted to only 2.6%, and the share in energy generation within the UES is about 0.52%. The good news is that the renewable energy sector in Russia is showing its development and gradual growth, solar energy is becoming more and more interesting for investors, and regions are paying more and more attention to the use of renewable energy in their territories.
Currently, almost half of Russia's electricity is still produced at gas-fired power plants, a third - at nuclear and coal-fired power plants and about 19% - at hydroelectric power plants. It is estimated that two-thirds of sparsely populated regions with a total population of more than twenty million people are not connected to the central power grid. Most of them receive electricity at state-subsidized prices from local power grids, which receive energy mainly from diesel and gasoline generators.
Possible applications of solar energy, as well as the addition of information on the use of small wind and heat pumps in Russia were analyzed using the example of seven Russian regions - Krasnodar Krai, Kaliningrad Oblast, Republic of Bashkortostan, Ulyanovsk Oblast, Samara Oblast, Astrakhan Oblast and Tomsk Oblast. Examples of solar energy projects for various application sectors, such as solar parks for the retail market, hybrid systems and small roof systems were calculated taking into account their economic efficiency from the point of view of system users, and the results were presented and discussed at several round tables, the last of which was held in the Tomsk region. Also, since the fall of 2021, the project has been cooperating with St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. In addition, general information about the Russian electric power sector was collected and the way of development of renewable energy support measures in Russia was analyzed.
The next update of the study is scheduled for early 2023. In 2022, another Russian region will be included in the project and in the study. Thus, with two new regions, the project will already cover nine regions of Russia.