Economically reasonable price for 1 kW in Russia should be 30-50% higher

The current electricity tariffs for the population of the Russian Federation are generally lower than the economically justified ones by at least 30-50%. O. Kolobov - Deputy Head of the Climate and Green Energy Department of the Center for Strategic Research in his interview to RIA Novosti.

Thus, according to the expert, for a number of categories of consumers in the Russian market, the price of electricity is below the economically justified level. At the same time, the difference between the real and reasonable price for residents of Russia reaches a level in the average range from 2 to 3 rubles per kilowatt. Or, in other words, the current tariff levels are below the market price by 30-50%.

At the same time, as the expert notes, the only region of the Russian Federation in which real tariffs practically correspond to economically justified ones is Moscow. According to the expert's estimate, the difference in Moscow is less than one ruble per 1 kWh of consumed energy, where the population lives in households and apartments with gas stoves and about 1.5 rubles per 1 kW * h for the population who have installed electric tiles.

In addition, the expert noted that there are regions in Russia where the economically justified price reaches 40-45 rubles per kilowatt. Therefore, in such regions there is no way to bring real prices to such high levels.

At whose expense the difference with the real tariff and economically justified one is paid

In order for the industry to develop and operate normally, it cannot operate at a loss. Therefore, everything that is not received from ordinary citizens is paid at the expense of other categories of consumers who pay current costs and all allowances. In addition, generating companies also pay compensation for low tariffs from the budget (through various government programs).

So the practice of low tariffs at the expense of other consumers was introduced in our country back in the 1990s in order to socially protect the population of the country. The only problem is that the share of the population in electricity consumption is increasing, and the support being implemented is not targeted.

The thing is that preferential tariffs are equally valid both for the really poor and for those who receive high incomes. That is, those who need support and, for example, those who buy expensive electric cars and charge them with electricity at a reduced rate, also enjoy preferential rates.

Such non-targeted assistance leads to the fact that the burden on business and budgets is growing, and the authorities are forced to raise tariffs a year, but at the same time maintain economically unjustified prices not only for the poor, but also for rich.

Did you like the material? Then put your finger up and subscribe to the channel. Thank you for your attention!