Other than large hydroelectric plants in Russia, all other forms of renewable energy account for less than 1% of power generation capacity.
These metrics come from Russia Direct, which reports when it comes to wind, solar and geothermal energy, Russia’s renewable potential is terrifyingly underdeveloped.
Russian geothermal production capacity has tripled over the last decade to 82 MW, its current level of development is regarded as underdeveloped. There are many geothermal sources available in Northern Caucasus, Kamchatka, and the Kuril Islands. According to Russia Direct, “Russia could potentially rival the world-leading United States (with 3.4 GW of power generation capacity).”
Russia’s geothermal abundance is such that much like the Ecuadorian government did regarding the Galapagos Islands, Moscow could declare Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, with a joint power generation capacity of 2 GW, a fossil fuel-free zone with a binding deadline to adhere to. Hitherto there had been no talks whatsoever of creating a fossil fuel-free zone in Russia, all the more so if it meant imposing a regional or federal carbon tax.
