Energy and metallurgy holding company En+ secured a notable position on Forbes’ list of the world’s largest investment firms this year, advancing from 21st to 11th. The update was shared during a Moscow press conference by the company’s External Communication Department Director, Olga Sanarova.
In 2022, En+ directed investments totaling 118.5 billion rubles. The allocation supported not only the modernization of hydroelectric and thermal power plants and small-scale energy projects, but also environmental initiatives. The company additionally invested 56 million dollars in community and social programs.
Vera Kurochkina, En+ Deputy General Manager, highlighted the company’s responsibility as a major private entity. With a footprint spanning a large region, including vast areas of Siberia, En+ emphasizes delivering comfort and warmth to residents while pursuing projects that benefit every person connected to its operations.
In November 2022, En+ launched an urban development index, which, according to leadership, has since taken shape with clear policy and planning outlines.
By 2023, the group reported that more than 262 thousand people benefited from its social initiatives.
At the end of the previous year, 875 employees joined the ranks of active volunteers prepared to assist in challenging situations. The company also noted 2.5 million regular users engaging with its volunteering and creative projects across social networks, signaling strong public interest in its social programs.
Management also stressed ongoing investments in regional infrastructure to support the cities where En+ operates.
Natalya Albrecht, Deputy General Manager of En+ and Rusal Human Resources, discussed strategies for retaining staff and attracting new talent. She noted that families seek strong local education and medical care, and that En+ is directing resources toward medical development, the creation of martial arts centers, and housing developments. The plan envisions twelve new facilities, with initial housing blocks slated for Bratsk, Divnogorsk, and Achinsk in 2025.
The senior leadership described a structured approach to recruiting young specialists, starting at the school level. An institutional research center has been established at Irkutsk State University to draw students into En+ projects, alongside the Academy of Information Technologies, the Academy of Business Administration, and a scholarship program to support high-potential students. A dedicated training portal, En+ Career at Rusal, has also been launched.
Anton Butmanov, Deputy General Manager for Sustainable Development, noted that En+ published its second climate report this year, detailing progress toward carbon neutrality.
Despite challenges, the company remains focused on achieving net zero emissions by 2050, according to Butmanov. Strategic initiatives include updating hydroelectric infrastructure, including propeller replacements and equipment modernization, under the umbrella of the New Energy program.
Butmanov also outlined ongoing efforts to expand renewable energy capacity, develop new power facilities, and advance wind and solar projects. The Abakan solar plant project is being expanded to increase its capacity, reinforcing En+’s commitment to a diversified energy mix.