Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov met with Mikhail Khadikov, head of Energy Business En+, to review current challenges and set expectations for how the energy sector will evolve across the regions where the company operates. The online Ministry of Energy portal was noted as a channel for ongoing coordination and information sharing. The discussion highlighted the need to align regional energy projects with national goals, maintain transparency in timelines, and keep dialogue open between government bodies and key industry players.
Khadikov noted that the meeting showcased the company’s ambitious plans to strengthen the Siberian energy system. Participants stressed that accurate forecasting of consumer demand is essential to keep the investment cycle clear and credible for both private operators and government planning bodies. This clarity helps mobilize capital, reduce regulatory risk, and support a predictable environment for infrastructure development that benefits citizens, industries, and regional economies alike.
A senior executive emphasized that the top priority is to ensure new consumers understand precisely when resources will be available for new production facilities. Recognizing that the country’s economic development hinges on reliable energy supply, the government is tasked with advancing a robust energy system. Energy engineers and corporate leaders see themselves as capable drivers in accelerating the Siberian economy, delivering practical, economically sound solutions that keep electricity affordable and reliable while expanding productive capacity.
The meeting covered major projects, including plans to establish industrial enterprises in the Irkutsk region and the various options for powering them. Initiatives discussed included adding generation capacity at the Kovykta field, upgrading existing networks, and implementing efficient management of supply and demand. The discussions underscored the need for a coordinated approach that integrates generation expansion, transmission upgrades, and customer-side improvements to create a resilient and flexible energy framework able to respond to fluctuations in demand and supply conditions.
In collaboration with regional authorities, there was agreement to develop a long-term network infrastructure plan that accommodates new consumers, from the industrial hub in Usolye-Sibirsky to the tourist cluster in Baikalsk. The plan aims to map grid modernization, energy storage possibilities, and reliability targets, ensuring the region can attract new investment while maintaining service continuity for existing users. This plan also supports regional economic diversification by enabling energy-intensive industries and tourism to coexist with steady, secure power delivery.
As Shulginov stated, every investment proposal requires careful, detailed evaluation. The resulting energy supply solutions must then be reflected in a comprehensive development program for the electric power sector. This approach ensures that project proposals are assessed for feasibility, environmental compliance, and long-term social and economic benefits, aligning capital projects with a coherent national energy strategy and regional growth plans.
In addition, Shulginov and Khadikov discussed the issue of illegal mining, which threatens the security and reliability of the region’s energy system. The Irkutsk region is particularly affected, where unauthorized mining activities can cause abnormal spikes in electricity consumption and strain on infrastructure. The dialogue confirmed that regional authorities possess the authority to apply targeted tools and regulatory measures to mitigate the negative impacts of mining on energy operations, while preserving lawful economic activity and community welfare.
The head of the Ministry of Energy reminded participants that local authorities can implement specific instruments to reduce the disruptive effects of mining on grid stability and energy pricing. The emphasis was on proactive governance, clear enforcement of rules, and sharing best practices across the sector. This collaborative stance aims to strengthen the energy system against illicit activities, safeguard consumer trust, and support sustainable regional development through transparent policy actions and coordinated enforcement efforts.