Article
John P. Millhone
Report
Russia's Neglected Energy Reserves
Russia’s energy reserves can be conserved through available, cost-effective measures, which will lead to a more competitive economy, more jobs, and increased national income.
Published on May 12, 2010
Russia enjoys the world’s largest share of energy resources. While urban areas have grown more efficient in recent years, great expanses of the vast country continue to squander its valuable resources. Russia’s energy reserves can be conserved through available, cost-effective measures and this will lead to a more competitive economy, more jobs, and increased national income.
Significant benefits are within reach if effective federal, district, and local programs are implemented. By improving energy efficiency, Russia could:
- Lower energy costs. Better efficiency will reduce the price consumers pay for energy.
- Create jobs. Transforming Russia’s energy sector will require new jobs and reliable energy services improve Russia’s long-term economic outlook.
- Increase exports. By lowering the domestic consumption of natural gas and oil, exports will grow and foreign-exchange earnings will rise.
- Reduce emissions. Fewer emissions will help Russia meet its international commitments on climate change.
Five areas for Russia to improve efficiency:
- Electricity. Reduce losses of energy and modernize an aging power system with new and improved power plants.
- Heat. Upgrade and replace Soviet-era heating systems.
- Industry. Reduce the energy intensity of Russia’s industrial sector, which is far higher than other competing countries.
- Buildings. Introduce energy-efficient building codes and retrofit old houses and buildings.
- Transportation. Improve public transportation and increase fuel-efficiency standards.
“Russia has a unique win-win opportunity if it acts aggressively to couple its energy and climate-change policies,” writes Millhone.
About the Author
John P. Millhone
Former Visiting Scholar, Energy and Climate Program
Millhone is currently evaluating and commenting on U.S. energy policies and focusing on clean energy and economic stimulus initiatives. He is also providing analysis to the U.S.–China provincial and municipal energy efficiency management program.
- Developing a Plan B to the Kyoto Protocol
- Russia's Fires Breathe New Life into Climate PictureArticle
John P. Millhone
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
- Stalled at the Front, Russia Seeks to Undermine Ukraine’s Economic CapacityCommentary
Russian strikes are weakening the economy sustaining Ukraine’s war effort. Closing the growing funding gap will require more European support and politically contentious reforms in Kyiv.
Balázs Jarábik
- Turkmenistan’s Ruling Duo Is Having a Family Feud. Will Their Regime Survive It?Commentary
Ex-president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov remains interested in politics, but his son Serdar, Turkmenistan’s current president, is becoming increasingly independent and willing to break with his father’s legacy. If their covert rivalry goes too far, both risk losing power.
Galiya Ibragimova
- Russian Indoctrination in Occupied Ukrainian Schools Is a ShamCommentary
Despite a new textbook, an influx of Russian teachers and managers, and an end to the teaching of Ukrainian, the Kremlin is unlikely to have “reprogrammed” locals.
Konstantin Skorkin
- Who Is Funding Russia’s War in the 2027 Budget?Commentary
For every ruble allocated to social policy, health, and education in 2027, double that amount is earmarked for the army, the police, and the security services.
Alexandra Prokopenko
- International Demand for Russia’s Arctic Shipping Route Is Unlikely to LastCommentary
Cargo traffic through Russia’s Northern Sea Route has increased because of the disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East, the Ukraine war, and U.S.-China tensions.
Mikhail Korostikov
