IRENA: Russia could Quadruple share of Renewable Energy by 2030

According to IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) Russia could increase the share of renewables in its energy mix from roughly 3 percent today to more than 11 percent by 2030. Renewable Energy Prospects for the Russian Federation, was presented to high-level stakeholders at a meeting in Moscow, between the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation and IRENA.

IRENA Director-General, Adnan Z. Amin said that global energy transition is underway, with this study we have a better understanding of Russia’s renewable energy potential, what benefits it could bring, and what can be done to make this a reality. Russia has had a long history of leadership in the energy sector – and now has the opportunity to extend that leadership into renewable energy.

Under Russia’s current energy strategy the share of renewable energy will reach 4.9 per cent by 2030, falling short of its potential of more than 11.3 percent, by IRENA’s estimates. According to the new working paper, the power sector is estimated to have the highest renewable energy share, at about 30 per cent in 2030 — split into 20 per cent for hydropower and 10 per cent for wind, solar photovoltaic and geothermal power.

In addition to hydropower and bioenergy, Russia has already taken steps to accelerate deployment of other renewable energy technologies. The country’s current renewable energy policy focuses on accelerating the deployment of wind and solar PV, and in 2016, approximately 70 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity was introduced.

Image Source: IRENA