In 2024, electricity consumption in Russia predominantly relies on fossil energy sources, with more than half of the country's electricity—approximately 63%—derived from fossil fuels. Gas is the largest component among the fossil sources, contributing nearly 45% to the total electricity mix, while coal adds around 18%. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean energy sources account for about 37% of electricity production in Russia. Within this low-carbon contingent, nuclear energy stands out as a significant contributor, generating about 18%, while hydropower closely follows with almost another 18%. This present scenario showcases a reliance on fossil fuels, although there is a substantial contribution from low-carbon sources, suggesting a considerable potential for further clean energy advancements.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, Energy Institute and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Russia?
Examining the trends in electricity growth, Russia's electricity consumption has increased modestly in 2024, reaching 8,042 kWh per person, which marks a modest rise of 108 kWh per person compared to the previous peak in 2021. Despite this increase in overall electricity consumption, the generation from low-carbon sources has slightly decreased, with modern figures showing 2,953 kWh per person compared to 3,035 kWh per person in 2021, reflecting a reduction of 82 kWh per person. This stagnation in low-carbon growth is a cause for concern, considering the global push towards sustainable energy development. While overall electricity usage is on the rise, the decline in low-carbon generation highlights the need for Russia to invest more vigorously in clean energy expansion.
Suggestions
To augment its low-carbon electricity generation, Russia can benefit from expanding its existing nuclear infrastructure, given its significant contribution to the current energy mix. Countries like France and Slovakia successfully leverage nuclear power, with nuclear energy providing 70% and 66% of their electricity, respectively. By adopting similar strategies, Russia can significantly boost its clean energy output. Additionally, integrating more solar power, as seen in Nevada where solar contributes 33%, can enhance the diversity of Russia's electricity sources. For wind energy, regions like Denmark and Iowa demonstrate the potential of wind to supply substantial portions of electricity, suggesting a complementary role to Russia's nuclear and solar ambitions. Learning from these global leaders can guide Russia in transforming its electricity sector toward a greener future, where fossil dependency is minimized.
History
Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in Russia reveals a journey of peaks and troughs. During the late 1980s, nuclear energy saw steady growth with notable gains, such as 19.5 TWh in 1987 and 10.1 TWh in 1988. However, the early 1990s experienced substantial setbacks, particularly a drop of 18 TWh in 1990. The mid-1990s and late 1990s witnessed some recovery in nuclear power generation, with an impressive increase of 16.6 TWh in 1999. Hydropower, another pillar of Russia’s low-carbon efforts, faced large fluctuations as well, with significant downturns in 1996 and 2008, yet showing resilience with a recovery phase in the early 2010s and notably a jump of 16.3 TWh in 2020. Such historical insights underscore the need for consistent and strategic investments in clean energy to safeguard against declines and ensure a stable growth trajectory for sustainable electricity.
