Russia - General Discussion.

[John Fedup]

The interesting part is the reason, the prices for exported electricity are now higher than internal Chinese prices. Chinese prices have remained static, it's Russian prices in the Far East that have increased due to an easing of controls on electricity prices and growing demand in the Russian Far East. Note the electricity that was exported previously was tied to a Russian hydro-electric dam. The article doesn't explain why there's a growth in domestic demand, and I can't think of an obvious reason myself.

 

[John Fedup]

Perhaps the growth isn't Russian but rather exports to NK for services rendered in Ukraine.

 

[Feanor]

Perhaps the growth isn't Russian but rather exports to NK for services rendered in Ukraine.

It's certainly possible, but the article mentions a "liberalization of prices" which suggests Russia has limited or ended subsidies.

 

[John Fedup]

IIRC China is planning a massive dam project in Tibet, albeit years away assuming it actually happens so future electricity exports should decrease. China also has a rapidly expanding nuclear power generation program.so perhaps mineral exports are Russia’s only revenue source wrt China in the next couple of decades.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

So, based on more research from russian sources:
- Russia had to stop subsidies in most regions. Reasons are various: less income from oil and gas (-25% according to the Russian Finance Ministry compared to January 2025) and no available resources. Electricity prices up almost 45% in some areas.
- Chinese electricity prices are static (slight slight increase but really not relevant) thanks to, for example, coal overcapacity in Inner Mongolia and near Regions.
- China, as reported by Kommersant (one of the major russian economic media), isn't even buying the minimum amount determined by contract, which is 12 MWe (basically nothing, the equivalent of a single large offshore wind turbine)...