Solar and Wind Energy in the Russian Strategy of Low-Carbon Development: Status and Prospects

The volumes of electrical energy produced in the Russia by solar and wind power plants, as well as their current and prospective role in the energy balances of Russian regions are analyzed. The conducted research allowed the potential for reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions through the use of these renewable energy sources (RES) to be assessed. The role of renewable energy in the energy supply of Russian regions and reduction of ÑO₂ emissions is estimated. Russian regions were ranked according to their level of RES-based decarbonization. According to estimates, 4.94 million tons of CO₂ emissions were avoided in 2023 due to the energy facilities operating on RES without fossil fuel. The study revealed positive dynamics in the forecast of a reduction in CO₂ emissions for all Russian regions leading in terms of renewable energy development in the period from 2020 to 2030. According to neural-network forecast calculations, the total reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 due to the use of RES in all considered regions could amount to 0.53% of the total volume of ÑO₂ emitted in the Russia in 2022. This shows that the prospects of using RES in the Russia for decarbonization are rather insignificant at the current level of increase in their utilization capacity. However, for a number of regions located in the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts, the use of RES is already of great importance for the fuel and energy complex, as well as for improving the environmental situation, which shows the need for the further development and support of domestic technologies.