TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY SUPPLY IN THE REGIONS OF THE WESTERN ARCTIC OF RUSSIA

Available and reliable energy supply is essential for the consumers in the Arctic regions that are characterized by a climate. The importance of the energy infrastructure is emphasized in the strategic planning documents. However, projects of constructing energy capacities are not always implemented. In the study an analysis of some energy development projects implementation in the regions of the Western Russian Arctic was performed; promising areas of energy development are also examined. In the medium term, fossil fuels and hydropower will continue to be the main sources of energy supply to consumers in the Western Arctic, while a significant share of nuclear power will remain in the Murmansk region. Under these circumstances, in the regions the tasks of providing gas supplies and increasing the use of local energy resources are set. Gas supplies methods as well as types of local energy resources may differ for different regions. Purpose of the study it to find out trends in the development of energy supply in the regions of the Western Arctic of Russia in the medium term. Methodology includes information analysis on the research topic, generalization, comparison, systematization. Results: it was found that the trends in the development of energy supply in the regions of the Western Arctic were an increase in gas supplies and the use of local energy sources. The formulated criteria for choosing energy resources are accessibility, economic feasibility, and environmental acceptability. Practical implications. The obtained results can be applied in making decisions on energy development in the Western Arctic regions, as well as to prepare courses on energy economics and regional economics.