Authorities in Kamchatka Krai plan to expand the capacity of geothermal and hydroelectric power plants to prevent impending energy shortages driven by the launch of new industrial facilities. Peak consumption in the peninsula’s power grid is projected to reach 352 megawatts by 2031, up from the current level of 346 megawatts.
To meet this growing demand, the regional Ministry of Housing, Communal Services and Energy is preparing to commission new generation facilities between 2026 and 2031. The primary focus is on renewable energy sources. Current plans include the construction of a 16.5-megawatt binary power unit at the first Mutnovskaya geothermal plant and the building of a second Mutnovskaya station, which will provide an additional 66.5 megawatts. A further expansion of the Tolmachevskiye hydroelectric plant cascade is also expected with the launch of a fourth phase featuring an installed capacity of 12 megawatts.
The situation on the peninsula reflects a broader trend across the entire macro-region. Energy consumption in the Russian Far East has grown by 21 percent over the past five years – a rate nearly twice the national average. Sectoral forecasts indicate that demand will increase by another third by 2030. Rapid construction is already resulting in localized electricity shortages, necessitating a review of federal energy development programs.
Following a government meeting, Presidential Envoy Yury Trutnev instructed relevant ministries to develop a detailed schedule for the next two years. This document must synchronize the launch of new generating capacities with business requirements. Federal agencies will also prepare a consolidated report on accelerating the gasification of Far Eastern territories, a strategy that will soon be presented to the head of state.