Russia’s Ministry of Energy has established a dedicated working group to oversee the expansion of the country’s hydropower potential. Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev announced the initiative during the Energoprom-2026 forum, noting that the group will focus on large-scale hydroelectric projects designed to anchor regional industrial clusters.
According to Tsivilev, the ministry is currently advancing plans for developments along the Angara-Yenisei and Ob-Irtysh river cascades. These projects are intended to generate economic benefits across multiple sectors, serving as the foundation for broader investment programs in the regions where they are located.
The formation of the working group follows a presidential directive to draft proposals for state support of the hydropower industry. Andrey Maksimov, the head of the ministry’s electricity development department, previously indicated that the government is seeking ways to provide financial and regulatory backing for new plant construction.
The new body includes executives and technical specialists from the country’s major hydropower operators and representatives from the Association of Russian Hydropower. Members from the Market Council and the System Operator of the Unified Energy System are also participating to coordinate the integration of new capacity into the national power grid.
