Prospects for electricity generation and electrification in Russia till 2030

The results of modeling Russia’s electricity generation and electrification until 2030 are presented. Prospects were made out for two scenarios of socioeconomic development in relation to the dynamics of electricity generation and related industries of the country’s energy system. Electrification and energy generation/consumption levels are assessed together with installed power-plant capacities and greenhouse gas (GNG) emissions to the atmosphere. The consequences of expected risks arising from the possible prolongation of the Kyoto Protocol are analyzed.     

Russia’s noncash payment system: Current state and development

This paper analyzes the current state and trends of the Russian bank card market.     

The current state of land turnover in Russia

The paper characterizes the land market turnover in the Russian Federation. Various market land transactions and the associated legal, organizational, technical, and economic problems are considered.     

Financial analysis of the electrification programme

This article presents results from a financial analysis of the national electrification programme. The study benefitedfrom the inclusion of detailed capital cost modelling and data describing trends in the growth of consumption since the inception of the programme. The analysis calculated nett present value and accumulated debt, and quantified the level of subsidies required to ensure that the programme is financially viable. The effect of these subsidies on existing surpluses, possible price increases, and financial transfers between regions is investigated. Financial results are determined largely by capital costs, which are likely to be higher than estimated in previous studies. Electrification results in large losses, with revenues inadequate to cover even operating costs not related to financing, and the required subsidies are about Rl,6 billion per year, equivalent to an average 8 per cent general tariff increase. It is concluded that important questions relating to the source and distribution of subsidies, as well as the inclusion of off‐grid technologies, will have to be resolved if electrification is to be sustained beyond the year 2000.     

Current problems of large-scale housing construction in Russia

The paper examines current problems in the development of mass housing construction under the national project “Affordable and Comfortable Housing for Citizens of Russia” Impediments to its implementation are analyzed, the government housing policy is appraised, and the role of financial institutions in supplying homebuyers with affordable housing is discussed.     

Monitoring of the state and development problems of cities in Russia in the years of reforms

This paper considers the major characteristics and problems that are typical of the cities of Russia in the recent decades. The role of cities is shown in the formation and functioning of economic and social systems of regions and the country as a whole. The changes in the system for financing urban development from local budgets are analyzed.     

黑河对俄自驾游发展现状及对策分析

随着社会经济的发展,人民生活水平的提高和对旅游需求的不断转变,自驾游已逐渐成为旅游发展的新动向。近年来,黑河市依托良好的自然生态风光、丰厚的历史文化底蕴、浓郁的俄域风情,已成为市区、周边县市及南方省份自驾游爱好者的主要旅游目的地。特别是对俄自驾游更成为黑河旅游新的经济增长点。     

Eskom,its finances and the national electrification programme

Eskom, the national electricity utility, is one of the key institutions involved in delivering the goals of the Reconstruction and Development Programme. From 1991 to 1994, Eskom electrified about 685 000 households, and it plans to make a total of 1,75 million new connections between 1994 and 1999. Notwithstanding real electricity price decreases of 24 per cent from 1987 to 1994 and the operating losses it has encountered to date on the electrification programme, Eskom has consolidated and strengthened its income statement and balance sheet significantly in recent years. The present analysis suggests that its capital expenditure on power stations is fundamental to the utility's financial health. In real terms investment in 1994 was considerably lower than at the peak of 1985, and since supply capacity exceeds current demand electrification can readily proceed. Eskom enjoys a sound financial position and, with rationalisation and restructuring of the electricity supply industry, the utility might play an even more significant role in the electrification programme. The trend, however, appears to be in the opposite direction.     

The competitiveness of Russian industries: Current state and outlook

Based on its definition of industrial sector competitiveness the paper presents a “competitiveness chart” of branches of industry as per postcrisis status and points out key contributing factors in the success/failure of industry groups. Development opportunities and threats of branches of industry are analyzed, leading to a long-term industry “competitiveness chart.” A detailed SWOT analysis is made of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for a number of key industries.     

Informatization processes in the Volga Federal District regions: Current state and trends

The resource components of the informatization process in the Volga Federal District regions are surveyed. The authors made an integral estimation of the regional informatization potential using the method they had tested in practice. This allowed them to evaluate the level of the informatization process in individual regions and the effectiveness of regional policy in the advancement of high-tech sectors.     

俄罗斯的风度

走近俄罗斯,你就会对这个物华天宝、人杰地灵的国度有一丝难以名状的熟悉感.毕竟这个泱泱大国曾与我们肩并肩走过一段峥嵘的岁月,但它又是那样的新鲜,充满欧洲异国情调的浪漫风味令人深深迷醉.毫无疑问,历史文化丰厚的沉淀已把俄罗斯凝铸成一个非常独特的国度.     

Russia: the demographic situation

This is a summary of the second annual report on the demographic situation in Russia prepared by the Center for Demography and Human Ecology in Moscow. The report examines such topics as population size, spatial distribution, and age composition; health, mortality, and life expectancy; population replacement; and internal and external migration.     

Heat comfort of the population of Russia

Estimated consumption of heat from centralized sources, individual thermal generators, and heating stoves by the population of Russia is obtained in the paper. Segments of households are distinguished according to the type of thermal amenities and described, and the thermal comfort situation is analyzed.     

Migration processes: the problems of Russia

The author reviews developments in the international migration of skilled personnel since the end of World War II. The primary focus is on the current and future brain drain from the countries that made up the former Soviet Union, and particularly Russia. Attention is given to migration among the successor states, primarily to Russia, as well as migration to Western countries. The need for Russia to develop appropriate policies to minimize the deleterious effects of such migration is noted.     

俄罗斯经济真的走出困境了吗

90年代以来,俄罗斯经济改革历程颇为曲折.采取西方推荐的改革方案后,人们曾对俄罗斯改革抱很大期望,但未料到实践效果却相反,短期阵痛变成了十年难熬的长痛.普京上台执政以来,俄罗斯经历长达十年的经济萧条后,终于出现了明显的恢复势头,特别是2001年在西方经济普遍衰退的情况下,俄罗斯的国民生产总值仍然增长了5.5%,工业产值增长5%,农业产值增长6.8%,生产领域投资增长9%,工资、养老金水平有所提高,人民生活获得了一定改善.     

Environmental priorities of Russia

This paper analyzes Russia’s high priority environmental problems requiring effective and urgent solution based on large-scale costs.     

On the determinants of capital flight from Russia

The paper addresses the problem of defining and assessing the scale of capital flight from Russia and of briefly reviewing the channels through which capital, both of legal and illegal origin, illegally leaves Russia. It then highlights the determinants of Russian capital flight, as the traditional view of a reaction to divergences among real domestic and foreign returns and to economic and political risks proves inadequate. More important factors are linked to specific features of the transition process under way, that is macroeconomic instability and variability of government policies, weak protection of property rights and savings, a fragile banking system limiting access to investment finance, high and unevenly enforced taxes, a large share of unofficial activities, and considerable levels of corruption.     

Maphephethe rural electrification (photovoltaic) programme: The constraints on the adoption of solar home systems

It has been recognised that off-grid energy technologies are essential if the rural population of South Africa is to be provided with basic electrical supply. This article documents the development process followed during a pilot programme aiming to investigate the introduction of solar (photovoltaic) systems as an alternative means of rural electrification. The community of Maphephethe in KwaZulu-Natal was targeted for the project. This article seeks to share the experiences, both positive and negative, that have been gained since the project commenced in 1996. A model for technology transfer and local capacity-building is proposed and certain issues are highlighted, including the slow dissemination of solar systems and the difficulties of financing in a poor rural community.     

Sustainable development goals for the future of Russia

This paper reviews sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 and approved by all countries. The inclusion of the sustainability concept based on a balanced set of economic, social, and environmental factors in the strategic documents underpinning the long-term development of Russia is justified as part of a search for a new development model for the Russian economy.