Renewable energy federalism in Russia: Regions as new actors for the promotion of clean energy

Abstract

Russia is not only rich in natural gas, oil, coal and uranium. It also holds a considerable renewable energy resource base. The Federal Electricity Law mandates the federal Government to stimulate the development of renewable energy sources. However, so far, the Government has failed to create a functioning regulatory framework that would ensure the financial viability of these investments. This article examines the role that regional authorities could play in developing clean energy in the Russian Federation. Building further upon the environmental federalism literature, this article analyses the regulatory barriers to regional feed-in tariffs in Russia and, based on the US experience, proposes legal solutions to overcome these barriers. Russia-because of its role as a fossil fuel superpower, its weak track record on climate change mitigation, together with high political centralisation of power-is a unique case for an analysis of the role of regions as innovators of sustainable development. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.