ИСТИНА

This research is targeting challenges and specifics of energy supply of remote consumers in frames of Russian Arctic infrastructural development, precisely Northern Sea Route (NSR). The study includes complex analysis of latest statistical data on renewable energy in the Russian Arctic. Based on these results, we suggest the ways to implement safe and economically efficient small scale power plants based on renewable energy. The study includes comprehensive risk analysis on renewable energy development in the Arctic region in three dimensions ecological, economic and social. This includes: 1) estimations on resources, gross and technical solar and wind energy potential, biomass from forest and woodworking industries; 2) structure and ranges of consumers’ power potential from autonomous power supply incl. infrastructural objects of NSR and natural protected areas; 3) data base on renewable power plants in operating and under construction, which allows to estimate existing power capacity with specification on type of resources used and the possible level of substitution to renewable sources. Besides, the study suggests current examples of renewable power plants construction and operation in the Arctic region to conclude on the relevancy and safety of renewable power generation. We complement the study with the analysis of main challenges of small and unconventional power supply in the Russian Arctic, and with suggestions on their expansion to NSR infrastructure development, natural protected areas and other remote energy consumers.