Orenburg Region Research Articles

ASPECTS OF OBTAINING HOMOGENEOUS DENSE CERAMICS FROM NON-SCARCE RAW MATERIALS

The combined effect of the microwave field and the content of reinforcing medium-dispersed silicon carbide particles on the density of a ceramic material based on montmorillonite containing clay of the Orenburg region is investigated. It is shown that with the content of carbide particles in the range of 20 – 30 wt. % after microwave drying of the samples, the maximum values of the density of the “ceramic mass-silicon carbide” system are reached. The increase in the density of all ceramic mass compositions is due to an increase in sintering coefficients and the appearance of a strong stable sillimanite phase in the phase compositions.

Economic growth and structural shifts in the economy of the Orenburg Region

Economic growth and structural shifts in the economy of the Orenburg Region

Peculiarities of the phenological phases of the development of pear varieties in the conditions of the steppe zone of the Southern Urals

The article presents the results of long-term studies of the peculiarities of the phenological phases of the development of promising pear varieties of domestic breeding in the conditions of the steppe zone of the Southern Urals (Orenburg region). The research was carried out in 2018-2021 at the experimental site of the 2002 laying of the Orenburg branch of the Federal Research Center of Horticulture. The objects of research were varieties of pears of domestic breeding Krasnobokaya (st), Skazochnaya, Pingvin, Permyachka, Sverdlovchanka, Isetskaya sochnaya, Lel, Chizhovskaya, Lada, Vidnaya, Povislaya (st), Gvidon, Uralochka, Samarskaya krasavitsa, Pamyat of Parshin. The calculation of phenological atypicity to identify the correspondence of the phases of development of pear varieties to the conditions of the region was carried out according to the method of Zaitsev G. N. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out in accordance with the methodological recommendations of Zaitsev G. N. and Dospekhov B. A. using the Microsoft Office Excel 10 analysis package. It was established that the studied varieties are characterized by a short growing season — 160-170 days; the required amount of active heat is on average 3 158.9 °C. For pear varieties, the timing of the onset of phenological phases is determined by the accumulated sum of positive temperatures: the beginning of vegetation — 200-304.7 °C; the beginning of flowering – 354-476.6 °C; removable fruit maturity — 2 504-3 603 °C; the end of leaf fall — 3 1793-666 °C. It was found that the timing of the onset of the phenological phases of the beginning of vegetation, the beginning and end of flowering, the end of shoot growth, as well as the duration of flowering periods, shoot growth and vegetation depend more on the conditions of the year than on the genotype. The removable maturity of fruits, the duration of the interphase period, the formation and growth of fruits are determined by characteristics of the variety. The assessment of phenological atypicity revealed that all the studied varieties are in the optimum for the realization of their phenological phases of development.

Efficiency of application of the growth regulator organostim on grape variety arcadia in the conditions of Orenburg region

The article presents data on determining the effectiveness of the use of the growth regulator Organostim on grapes of the Arcadia variety in the conditions of the Orenburg region. The studies were carried out on the basis of the Orenburg branch of the Federal Research Center of Horticulture from 2019 to 2021. Vineyard was established in 2012. Objects of research were the introduced grape variety Arcadia, growth regulator Organostim, VR (15 g/l dihydroquercetin + 30 g/l triethanolammonium salt of orthoresoxyacetic acid). Getting a stable harvest occupies one of the main places in the viticulture industry of the Orenburg region. In modern agriculture, plant growth regulators are used, which improve plant root nutrition, increase resistance to stress factors, stimulate plant growth, the formation of ovaries and berries, accelerate ripening times, and improve product quality. As a result of the studies, data were obtained that showed that when using the Organostim option (2.0 l / ha), the maximum number of bunches was noted (12 pcs.), average berry weight (7.4 g), number of berries per bunch (105 pcs.). There is an increase in the mass of the bunch and productivity at a rate of consumption of an agrochemical of 2.0 l / ha by 22 % and 111 %, respectively, relative to the control variant. It was revealed that the average yield per hectare when using Organostim (2.0 l/ha) was 11.4 t/ha, and the increase was 6.0 tons. As a result of the studies, the effectiveness of the use of the plant growth regulator Organostim on the Arcadia grape variety was established.

Mechanisms of adaptation of crop production in the regions of the Volga Federal District to the consequences of global climate change

The purpose of the study is to substantiate promising directions for adapting the crop sub-sector of the regions of the Volga Federal District (VFD) to the consequences of global climate change and mechanisms for its provision. The authors considered the natural and climatic features of the territory of the Volga Federal District of the Russian Federation, studied the structure of crop producers. The indicators of crop yields are analyzed. A list of weather risks that are most often manifested in the regions of the Volga Federal District has been determined. Data are presented on the yield losses of spring wheat in dry years in the context of the federal districts of the Russian Federation from 1950 to 2020. An idea is obtained about the change in land use parameters in the medium and long term. The results obtained served as a rationale for such adaptive mechanisms of state support for the agro-industrial complex, such as insurance of agricultural risks, subsidizing reclamation work for all categories of small businesses, and allocating additional budgetary funds for the purchase of mineral (nitrogen and phosphorus) fertilizers. It is proposed to correct the list of subjects of the Russian Federation, the territories of which are classified as unfavorable for agricultural production, and include the Saratov and Orenburg regions in it. In these regions, a significant part of the territory is occupied by a semi-desert zone, and the sharp continental climate has become more pronounced. It is substantiated that the totality of the proposed measures will contribute to the accelerated adaptation of regional agrosystems to the consequences of global climate change.

U-Pb LA-ICP-MS DATING OF DETRITAL ZIRCON FROM UPPER PERMIAN SANDSTONE OF THE BOYEVAYA GORA SECTION (ORENBURG REGION, SOUTHERN CIS-URALS)

The first results of U-Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of 150 detrital zircon grains from the Upper Permian sandstone of the Boyevaya Gora section (Orenburg region, the Southern Cis-Urals) are presented. 95 conditional zircon U-Pb isotopic dates form two age peaks – 381 and 529 Ma. It is assumed that clastic material entered the sedimentation basin mainly due to erosion of the Early Hercynian Ural complexes and relics of the Protouralian-Timanian orogen.

Hygienic assessment of the risk of development of metabolic disorders associated with pollution of drinking water with organic chlorinous compounds

Introduction. High morbidity rates of diseases of the endocrine system and the existing features of drinking water pollution with organochlorine compounds (OCCs) make it necessary to study the mechanisms of the influence of low doses of organochlorine pesticides on public health. The purpose of the study is to study the features of the formation of non-carcinogenic risk in the population associated with exposure to OCCs in drinking water and endocrine disorders, using the example of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) under conditions of chronic oral exposure in small doses in the experiment. Materials and methods. According to the results of a comparative hygienic assessment of more than 10 thousand samples of drinking water from centralized water supply in 41 municipalities of the Orenburg region, a rural area with the highest content of OCCs and 2,4-D was identified. There was executed an analysis of the incidence of diseases of the endocrine system, digestive system and metabolic disorders (E00-E90) in the population. The experimental part of the work was carried out on 2 groups of Wistar rats: the 1st group was control, the 2nd group consumed water containing 2,4-DA (ammonium salt of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) at a concentration of 0.015 mg/l (0 .5 MPC). In the blood serum of animals, an analysis was made of the level of hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid hormone (T4), testosterone and insulin, with an assessment of body weight and epididymal fat. Results. The observation area was established to be characterized by a high level of contamination of drinking water with OCCs and mainly with 2,4-D. Non-carcinogenic risk for the endocrine system (0.005), corresponding to an acceptable level, is significantly higher by 2-4 times (p < 0.05) for adults and children than in the comparison area. The primary incidence of diseases of the endocrine system, digestive system and metabolic disorders (E00-E90) in the observation area (34.88±5.9) is by 2 times higher than the average regional value and 6 times in the comparison area, which indicates the manifestation of disruptive properties 2,4-D and OCCs. The experiment showed that in animals of the experimental group, body weight on day 135 is 10% higher than the control one. An increase in the level of insulin in animals of the experimental group by 70% on day 45 and by 25% on days 90 and 135 of the experiment was established. In the experimental group, on the 45th, 90th and 135th days, the concentrations of T3 decreased by 22%, 5% and 6%, and T4 - by 13%, 12% and 38%, respectively. By the end of the experiment, the testosterone content in the experimental group was lower by 36%. Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to the transfer of the results of experimental data to the studied exposed population and the assessment of only OCCs and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in drinking water without taking into account other environmental factors. Conclusion. The conducted study testifies to the manifestation of the disruptive properties of 2,4-D in an animal experiment, which is expressed by a violation of the mechanisms of metabolism regulation. The results of the experiment showed the intake of small doses (0.5 MPC) of 2,4-D into the body to have an obesogenic effect, manifested in a gain in total body weight and epididymal fat, accompanied by a decrease in the level of testosterone and thyroid hormones in the blood serum.

An assessment of landscape‐ecological stability in agricultural regions of Ural and West Siberia

Aim . An assessment and cartographical analysis of landscape‐ecological stability in agricultural regions of Ural and West Siberia, subjects of Asian Russia, using eight steppe areas as an example. Material and Methods . An assessment of landscape‐ecological stability through calculating the coefficient of the ecological stability of a landscape on the base of the conjugate analysis of 13 indicators grouped into two blocks – stable and unstable landscape components. Monitoring of the state of an agricultural area using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of crops on the base of Earth remote sensing. Results . Specific territorial features and inter‐regional relations were determined according to separate landscape components. A schematic map reflecting the state of ecological stability was formulated; it was shown that this rises the more easterly the location. Conclusion . The Tyumen region is distinguished by clearly expressed ecological stability, which is also well expressed in the Novosibirsk region. Most other regions are characterized by a conditionally stable state. The Orenburg region’s landscapes are in an unstable state. Arable lands are characterized by the most instability among unstable components of a landscape. The coefficient of landscape ecological stability (CESL) is tightly connected with the proportion of tillage in a region’s total area. It rises with the reduction of a tillage area in 74% of cases studied. Withdrawal from cultivation of unstable and degraded lands during the intensification of agriculture in highly fertile areas and transfer to fodder lands (including protected areas), which contribute to an increase in the proportion of stable landscape elements, can be considered as the main direction for increasing their stability and preserving biological diversity.

Assessment of arboreal and shrubby plants widely used in greening of Orenburg by methods of ecological and phenological monitoring

Green spaces in the urban environment are oppressed due to the high anthropogenic load in industrial cities. Methods of ecological and phenological monitoring (registration of phenological phases, study of the degree of flowering and fruiting) allow to assess influence of the environment on plant communities of urban ecosystems. The purpose was to study the features of seasonal development of some widespread woody and shrubby plants in the landscaping of Orenburg through ecological and phenological monitoring. Within the framework of this work, the course of seasonal development of 5 species of woody and shrubby plants with registering 6 vegetative phases and 4 generative phases of life cycles was studied. The intensity of their flowering was assessed and the level of fruiting was determined as indicators of their stable development in urban conditions. According to the results of the observations, only Aronia mitschurinii was found to be the most favorable type due to nature of its phenological developmen. Aronia mitschurinii, Sorbus aucuparia, Crataegus sanguinea and Syringa vulgaris have the best decorative characteristics, as well as a high level of fruiting. These species are characterized by high ecological plasticity. Therefore, despite the increasing rates of anthropogenic load, they are able to form a full-fledged green framework of the urban environment and act as biological filters of atmospheric air in the Orenburg region.

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of fresh waters in the springs of salt dome territories of the Cis-Urals region

The article presents the results of a study on the geochemistry of fresh water from natural sources (springs) in the salt dome territories of the Pre-Ural Artesian Basin. Spring waters are understudied; they are not classified according to their chemical composition and purpose. The research area is the territory of the Pre-Ural Artesian Basin in Orenburg Region with salt-gypsum tectonics. There are numerous springs with fresh water suitable for household and drinking purposes there. Springs with mineralization from 156 to 806 mg/dm3 of mixed composition, sulfate-chloride, sulfate-bicarbonate, bicarbonate and calcium and magnesium-calcium, sodium-magnesium-calcium are related to gypsum fields and salt dome structures. The total hardness varies from 3.5 to 10.27 mg/eq/l from moderately hard to extremely hard. The conclusion on the quantitative and qualitative assessment of spring waters should be made by prospecting and exploration activities with experimental filtration activities and assessment of reserves.

Hydrogen economy – opportunities and prospects

The article examines the relevance of the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel, analyzes the state and trends in the development of the hydrogen economy, during which a number of features are identified that allow assessing the prospects for its growth. In the process of solving the task, methods of analyzing scientific literature sources in the field of hydrogen economics, retrospective analysis, scientific classification, modeling and a method of generalizing the information received were used. The article analyzes the global trend towards the transition to a green economy. The types of hydrogen according to the methods of its production are considered. The most environmentally friendly and effective methods of obtaining hydrogen by steam conversion of hydrocarbons and electrolysis of water are substantiated. The prerequisites for obtaining green hydrogen on an industrial scale are revealed. It is shown that Russia has a number of important advantages in the development of hydrogen energy, in particular, these are huge reserves of hydrocarbon raw materials and developed electric generating capacities. The article also describes the raw material potential of the Orenburg region for the possible production of hydrogen. At the same time, taking into account the peculiarities of the Russian economy, the prospects for the development of a hydrogen economy can be formed under the influence of factors of technological development and long-term demand, as well as stimulating investment activity in this sector. The materials of this article can be used in the process of developing and implementing regional programs for sustainable economic development, as well as in the educational process at universities in economic specialties.

On the state of the pedunculate oak plants (Quercus robur L.) of the orenburg climatype

The degradation of oak forests is an acute problem throughout the territory of the Russian Federation. Pedunculate oak is a valuable and durable tree species. The stability of oak forests is largely determined by biotypic characteristics. However, in recent years, anthropogenic impact is the main reason for the drying out of oak forests, which leads to the death of resistant pedunculate oak climatypes. The article presents the results of a study of pure stands of low-stemmed pedunculate oak on the territory of the Orenburg region. The silvicultural characteristics of plantings are given, their phytocenotic structure is described. It was found that in dry oak forests and oak undergrowth the stand was characterized by a low growth class, in fresh oak forests the highest growth class was noted. The plant density varied significantly from 0.3 to 0.7. In dry oak forests, the density index tended to decrease with age. The maximum plant density was observed at the junction of ripe and overmature ages, at the age of 60 years. The state of pure pedunculate oak stands on the territory of the Orenburg region can be assessed at the moment as satisfactory, but requires significant measures to promote seed reforestation.

Geochemical features of the impact of the Gayskoye copper pyrite deposit on the environment

The eastern part of the Orenburg region is the largest center of the mining and processing industry of non-ferrous metals in the Ural region. The most significant are copper pyrite deposits containing ores of various chemical compositions. As a result of the study, it was found that in the area of development of the Gayskoye deposit, geochemical halos are developed around ore bodies in the rocks of the Paleozoic, Meso-Cenozoic and weathering crusts. Landscape-geochemical conditions contribute to the wide migration of ore elements and their accumulation in various environments - soils, groundwater, vegetation. Elevated contents of all ore elements are observed, many of them exceed the MAC, Pb, Cu, Zn, As should be attributed to ecologically hazardous elements.

Potential Years of Life Lost in the Population of the Orenburg Region in 2019–2020

Introduction: Along with the mortality rate, the indicator of Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) is used to assess health losses in the population. Objective: To assess the structure and rates of mortality from diseases of the circulatory system and to estimate the number of potential years of life lost due to this category of disorders in the population of the Orenburg Region. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of deaths registered among the population of the Orenburg Region in 2010– 2020 using a depersonalized database of medical death certificates within the mortality monitoring system of the Medical Information and Analytical Center of the Orenburg Region. The results were evaluated using parametric and nonparametric methods. Potential years of life lost due to the diseases of the circulatory system were estimated by 5-year age groups for the population aged 18–75 in the years 2019 and 2020. Results: We established that the greatest demographic and socio-economic damage was caused by the diseases of the circulatory system, external causes of death, and neoplasms. We also estimated that in 2019, the mortality rate from diseases of the circulatory system was 633.7 per 100,000 population, i.e. 0.7 % lower than that in 2018 (638.2 per 100,000). In 2010–2020, the circulatory disease mortality rate was the highest in 2010 (842.0 per 100,000 population) and the lowest in 2016 (608.2 per 100,000). The average age of the deceased was 72.9 ± 13.8 years, and we observed its increase from 72.0 ± 10.9 years in 2019 to 73.6 ± 9.4 years in the year 2020 (p = 0.014). In 2019, the indicator of premature mortality was 30,895 and 10,515 years for men and women, including 24,323 and 5,404 potential years of life lost in working-age men and women (< 59 and < 54 years of age), respectively. In 2020, the number of PYLL rose to 39,425 and 16,868 years in men and women, respectively. We found significant age and sex differences in the level of losses from premature mortality. Conclusion: Our findings show that the regional mortality rates from diseases of the circulatory system in 2010–2020 exceeded the national averages. The structure of causes of death from diseases of the circulatory system did not change. In 2020, the number of potential years of life lost increased compared to 2019 and was more than twice as high for men than for women.

Фауна моногенетических сосальщиков рода Dactylogyrus молоди карпа в прудах Оренбургской области

Monogenetic flukes, as a kind of the parasites with a direct development cycle, pose a particular danger to the fish farms. They adapt easier to new conditions due to the absence of intermediate hosts in their life cycle. Among the representatives of the class Monogenea flukes Dactylogyrus parasitize on carp’s gills. Dactylogyrosis are conditionally pathogenic ectoparasites that are dangerous for the young fish. The work presents the results of the parasitological studies of gill arches of carp juveniles grown in ponds of the Orenburg region. There are four species of dactylogyride found: Dactylogyrus vastator, Dactylogyrus extensus, Dactylogyrus achmerowi, Dactylogyrus anchoratus. Only two species of monogenetic flukes were found in fish most often at the early age: Dactylogyrus vastator and Dactylogyrus extensus. The comparison of the infestation of individual gill arches of carp juveniles with dactylogyrids showed that the helminths distribution is not the same in different areas of the gill apparatus. The dactylogyrids proportion on the gill petals of the second gill arc is greater than on the first and third arcs. The helminths proportion found on the petals of the first gill arc does not differ from the worm proportion on the third gill arc. When analyzing the distribution of dactylogyrids by gill sectors, it was found that from 58.9 to 66.0% of monogenetic flukes localize in the middle sector of the gill apparatus of fish, the most strongly washed area of gills. The worm proportions in the abdominal and dorsal sectors differ slightly, except for Dactylogyrus achmerowi, where the helminths proportion in the abdominal section of the gills is almost half less than in the dorsal sector, 14.0 and 27.0%, respectively.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ORENBURG STEPPE CONCEPT TRANSLATED INTO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Purpose. The article is devoted to the analysis of the Orenburg steppe concept and its representatives into English. The aim of the study is to analyze the possible ways of translation of the representatives of this concept.
 Materials and methods. To achieve the goal, the following methods and analysis techniques were used: method of continuous sampling, descriptive method, the method of linguoculturological analysis, comparative method. Works of fiction about the Orenburg region and their translations into English, as well as data from bilingual and explanatory dictionaries were used for the purpose of the study.
 Results. The analysis of the Orenburg steppe concept and its representatives revealed certain ethno-specific and cultural features in the mental worldview of native English speakers. Most of the components of the concept “Orenburg Steppe” have a similar denotative meaning, while the connotative meaning is either absent or different. This is due to the lack of these realities in the English language. Having analyzed the materials of literary texts about the Orenburg region and its translations, it should be noted that the representatives of the Orenburg steppe concept are a verbalization of the inner state of the author and his attitude to the steppe. Each statement forms a cognitive picture of the author’s world of the work.
 Practical implications. The results of the study can be used in theory and practice of translation, as well as in region-oriented translation studies.

The Burials of the Bronze Age of the II Burial Mound near the Village Vtoroe Imangulovo (Orenburg Pre-Urals)

Three complexes of the Bronze Age have been studied in the II burial mound near the village Vtoroe Imangulovo II in the Oktyabrsky district of the Orenburg region. These include: the Volga-Ural post-catacomb time, the Abashevo and the Srubnaya–Alakul time. The population that left them chronologically changed sequentially. It has been established that the burial of the Volga-Ural cultural group was performed at the turn of the middle and late periods of the Bronze Age, the Abashevo burial – at the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, and the Srubnaya–Alakul burial belongs to the period of the rise of the Late Bronze Age. The burial complexes with post-catacomb and the Abashevo cultural attribution are rare for the territory of the Western Orenburg region, as well as for the whole Volga-Ural region. Meanwhile, these formations played an important role in the cultural genesis of the Late Bronze Age of the region, so their timely publication seems relevant.

MILLET PRODUCTIVITY AS A MONOCULTURE AND IN CROP ROTATIONS ON TWO AGRICULTURAL BACKGROUNDS DURING A LONG-TERM STUDY IN A REGION WITH UNSTABLE MOISTURE CONDITIONS

The article dwells upon the aftereffect influence of forecrops and crop rotations on millet productivity on two agricultural backgrounds, also, its long-term cultivation as monoculture in a region with unstable moisture conditions. The aim of the study was the influence of two agrocenoses on millet yield in the aftereffect of various forecrops, in the conditions of the steppe zone of the Southern Urals. Long-term (31 years) experiments were carried out in dry conditions of Orenburg region. As a result of the experiment, the influence of forecrop impact and aftereffect, nutritional background and meteorological factors of the growing season on formation of millet yields in crop rotations and as monocrop was revealed. The influence of precipitation of two summer months (June and July) on the millet yield level was discovered. Abundant precipitation in June and July contributes to growth of millet yields on two nutritional backgrounds. No effect from mineral fertilizer application was noted. Millet yield rise on an unfertilized background in the second, fourth and fifth rotation of crop rotations amounted to 0.01 tons, in the third - 0.09 tons per 1 ha. Millet cultivation in crop rotation with green manure fallow leads to yield increase in wet years on average up to 3.20 tons on a fertilized background, 3.12 tons per 1 ha on an unfertilized background. Millet productivity as monoculture decreased in comparison with cultivation in crop rotations in all years of a long-term experiment.

INFLUENCE OF KEY FACTORS AND SOIL PROCESSES ON BARLEY PRODUCTIVITY IN CROP ROTATIONS ON BLACK SOILS OF THE CIS-URAL REGION

The article shows the results of studying the influence of soil moisture, cellulose-decomposing activity of microorganisms and the amount of nutrients on barley productivity in crop rotations and monocrops in the central zone of Orenburg region. The purpose of the experiment is to identify the effect of moisture, soil cellulolytic activity and macronutrients (nitrates, phosphorus, potassium) on barley productivity increase in crop rotations and in monocrop cultivation. The following research methods were used: field, thermostatic-weight, application-weight, ionometric and Machigin methods. There was a yield increase of barley feed and energy units up to 2.10, 1.63 and 1.24, 0.96 t/ha in the second and fourth variants of the experiment on a fertilized background on average for 2002-2020. The increase of feed unit yield occurs due to productive moisture utilization by the plant during the growing season of 32.3, 32.2 mm, nitrates - 4.20, 1.91 mg, phosphorus - 1.76, 0.50 and potassium - 2.47, 1.01 mg/100 g of soil in case of cellulose- decomposing activity of microorganisms - 7.93 and 10.37%. As far as other variants of the experiment is concerned, the range of soil moisture on nutritional background is from 17.4 to 41.7 mm during sowing and 3.5-10.5 mm during harvesting; the degree of linen decomposition - 4.05-9.37%, the content of digestible nitrates - 0.05-1.11 mg, mobile phosphorus - 0.04-0.29 mg, exchangeable potassium - 0.05-0.95 mg /100 g, feed units - 1.16-1.44 t, energy units - 0.68-0.85 t per 1 ha. As a result of the study, the influence of moisture, activity of microorganisms, nutrients on barley productivity growth was determined as a result of the aftereffects of millet and peas in crop rotations after application of mineral fertilizers at a dose of 40: 80: 40 kg (N: P: K) of the active substance per 1 ha. The yield dependence of barley energy feed units in a crop rotation with millet on the content of used nitrates in the arable soil layer was found.

Future Development of Renewable Energy in Russia: A Case of Solar Power

Currently, there is a growing number of studies related to assessing the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy projects around the world. This topic is also very relevant for the Russian energy market that is otherwise dominated by oil and gas. The Russian Ministry of Energy forecasts that local power plants running on the renewable energy sources (RES) may not become economically efficient until 2025 or later. However, a research question arises: Is it possible to effectively implement RES projects in Russia without any state support? In order to answer this question, the authors need to assess the economic feasibility of seven scenarios for the construction of a solar power plant in the Orenburg region of Russia. The methodological basis of this work is the widely used in the energy sector classic method of investment analysis based on the calculation of discounted indicators: net present value (NPV), payback period (DPP) and internal rate of return (IRR) of the project. All our calculations are based on industry-specific initial capital investment estimates, energy storage equipment costs, and related annual operating costs. This led to the development of the scenarios on the basis of an analysis of the features of electricity and capacity generation in the Orenburg region, the existing options for joining the trading system of the energy market, energy storage applications, as well as the availability of the Russian government support and funding for the solar energy projects. Our results demonstrate that the economic feasibility of the development of renewable energy in Russia can become a reality. Out of the seven scenarios, three yielded the positive economic outcome (among them there were the two project scenarios without government support). These two projects featured the sale of electricity in retail markets and the installation of an additional energy storage system, despite an almost twofold increase in capital investments. The projects in question achieved the best economic results according to the three calculated criteria. In particular, the scenario that provided for the work on the retail market directly to the energy consumer receives an NPV of more than 1.5 times higher than other projects, an IRR of 10% and pays off at least 3 years faster. Achieving a positive economic result in the wholesale market was possible only in case of state support for the project. In addition, this scenario of the project numerically reached almost identical indicators, as in the case of selling energy on the retail market in the region where the power facility operates: NPV is almost 127 million rubles, IRR is within 13.9%, and DPP is 15 years. Other scenarios that do not provide for the use of energy storage systems or do not have state support for working in the wholesale market are not self-sustaining even during the 25-year life of energy equipment. These results might have practical significance and will be used in developing an approach to creating a profile of regions in terms of the advancements of renewable energy, as well as in developing strategies for the incentives of this sector in Russia.