Modern Trends in Global Energy and Assessment of the Ever-Increasing Role of Digitalization

Abstract

The global changes which are affecting countries at the moment act as a ‘censor’ of modern energy relations and energy market development strategies in general. The development of the energy market is no longer considered in terms of its efficiency but more in terms of its survivability under the influence of external environmental factors and its ability to maintain an acceptable level of energy safety. In order to fully balance a country’s internal interests and increase its competitiveness in the global energy market, the importance of the problem of choosing a development strategy—following the path of energy independence or cooperative development—is becoming evident. The purpose of this paper is to identify an effective energy strategy for a country under the influence of contemporary challenges. The object of the study is the Russian energy market and the energy companies as its key players. In this context, it examines the situations where Russia and other energy market players are unequally affected by external environmental factors. Particular emphasis is placed on the possibility of overcoming the negative impact of environmental factors during the implementation of measures aimed at ensuring energy safety, achieving a better environmental situation in the country by reducing CO2 emissions, and strengthening the country’s position in the global energy market by changing its own energy development strategy. The dependence of the financial outcome of the energy complex companies of the Russian Federation on the factors of the external and internal environment was determined as the main direction of the study. The financial outcome of the Russian energy complex companies in this article serves as a landmark indicator of energy market development. The working hypothesis of the research is the authors’ claim that it is necessary for modern energy companies in Russia, as important participants in the energy market of the country, to transform their strategy in the direction of deepening cooperation under the influence of external and internal environmental factors. The methodological and theoretical framework of this study consists of classical and modern economic science, covering the analysis of energy market dynamics and structure, as well as the theories aimed at selecting the most effective strategies under the influence of external and internal environmental factors. The study is based on the works of domestic and foreign scientists devoted to the issues of competitiveness, strategic planning, and sustainable development in the context of total digitalization. Within the framework of the conducted research, we used methods of system and factor analysis; statistical research methods, in particular the analysis of dynamic changes, as well as correlation and regression analysis; and methods of comparison, analogy, and generalization. An important source of data on the financial result of companies in the Russian energy sector was the materials of the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation. As a result of this paper, a notable influence of external and internal environmental factors is determined. Among the most significant factors, digitalization is identified as a development trend. It also represents a driver of improvement in Russia’s energy market, both in terms of improving its competitiveness and environmental safety and in terms of strengthening the country’s leadership position in the global energy market. In addition to the findings, this article provides a theoretical contribution and recommendations for the development of theoretical ideas concerning the choice of an effective strategy for the development of Russia’s energy market. Future research directions are also considered, and the implications of the presented analysis for further research are discussed.