Inter RAO Reduces Electricity Supplies to China by 75% in Early 2025
Inter RAO, a major Russian energy group, reported a sharp drop in electricity deliveries to China in January and February. The reduction stands at about 75 percent year over year, a figure cited by a group board member, Alexander Panin, in discussions with the press through TASS. This shift marks a significant pause in a long-standing cross-border energy relationship between Russia and its neighbor to the east.
The change is attributed in part to rising energy demand within Russia and to a higher incidence of accidents involving production equipment in the Far East. Officials and industry observers point to the demanding operating environment in the region, where logistics and weather can impact both supply reliability and maintenance cycles for power facilities.
Panin also noted that since November 2023 Inter RAO has stopped supplying electricity via the Amurskaya–Haihe transmission corridor, which is one of the largest lines linking Russia and China. The suspension of this line has reduced the capacity available for cross-border exchange and has influenced the pattern of bilateral energy flows between the two countries.
In related regional energy discourse, there was mention of a separate high-volume cross-border plan involving Europe and North America. Reports described England exploring the construction of undersea energy cables to the United States, with a proposed length of about 5,600 kilometers and submarine routing at depths reaching up to three kilometers. The project remains in the early development stages, facing technical, regulatory, and environmental considerations typical of such transoceanic interconnections.
Historically, Western energy commentators have emphasized the continued importance of coal in global energy matrices, underscoring how the mix of fuels evolves with market dynamics, policy shifts, and technological progress. The current discussion about cross-border power links—whether with Asia or across the Atlantic—illustrates how global energy strategy continues to balance reliability, cost, and environmental goals in a rapidly changing world. These conversations reflect ongoing efforts to diversify supply routes and enhance energy security for large economies that depend on stable electrical grids and predictable generation markets.
As markets in North America and Canada scrutinize developments in international energy trade, analysts highlight several key themes. First, the resilience of regional grids depends on diversified sources and the capacity to reroute power when one corridor experiences disruptions. Second, high-capacity lines, like the Amurskaya–Haihe route, illustrate the scale of infrastructural investment required to enable cross-border electricity transport. Third, the shift in utilization patterns from one period to the next can influence pricing, spot markets, and long-term contracting strategies for utilities and industrial customers alike.
For policymakers, industry players, and energy consumers in Canada and the United States, the evolving landscape underscores the importance of monitoring transmission projects, maintenance schedules, and the geopolitical frame surrounding cross-border energy collaboration. While the specifics of any single line or agreement may vary, the broader lesson remains: stable electricity supply hinges on well-planned networks, robust safety protocols, and transparent communication among all stakeholders involved in power transmission and energy trading.
Overall, the current trend of reduced electricity exports from Russia to China, alongside broader discussions about transregional links, signals a period of recalibration in global energy flows. Market participants in North America will be watching closely how these shifts affect regional prices, supply assurances, and the appetite for new interconnection projects as countries pursue cleaner energy mixes and greater energy independence.