Current trends and problems in the formation of heat supply infrastructure in the Russian Arctic

Abstract

The article deals with the most important problems of the regional energy complex in the subjects of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The main attention is paid to the aspects of formation of territorial heat supply systems which are the basic components of the life support infrastructure in the harsh climatic conditions of the Arctic and the Far North. Despite the predominance of energy sector in the economics of the Russian Arctic, the availability of the raw material base and an increase in the flow of investment resources to the energy industry, there is a further obsolescence and reduction of fixed assets of municipal energy supply. The highest level of heat supply and utility rates is noted here. The strengthening of these energy threats is a factor limiting the social and economic growth of the Arctic territories. The author substantiates the conclusion that some of the previously existing territorial infrastructure advantages of the Russian Arctic territories have been lost. It has led to a reduction in the total number of heat supply units, thermal energy territorial production and also the length of heat and steam networks.