Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with RusHydro General Director Viktor Khmarin, according to a Telegram channel that reports on Kremlin affairs. The discussion centered on the energy holding’s latest results and ongoing development projects that are shaping the country’s regional power landscape. Khmarin outlined progress across several key initiatives, including the construction of 500 kilometers of power lines in Chukotka, the launch of Krasnogorskaya Small Hydro Power Plant-1 in Karachay-Cermkessia, and the modernization program at Vladivostok CHPP-2. These projects reflect RusHydro’s continued commitment to expanding clean electricity generation and improving reliability in remote regions, a priority echoed in several state energy strategies. (citation: Kremlin/News)
The statement from the meeting highlighted that RusHydro aims to commission about 2.5 gigawatts of electricity capacity in the Far East by 2028 and to add two additional hydroelectric plants to the mix. This ambition is designed to strengthen grid resilience, support regional industrial growth, and contribute to broader national energy security goals. (citation: Kremlin/News)
In a broader policy context, sources indicate that the Russian government has been examining the possibility of relocating the ownership and management of major state companies closer to regional centers. The objective behind such a shift would be to streamline administration, accelerate decision making, and better align corporate operations with local development needs. While these discussions are ongoing, observers note that there are already successful precedents for such moves. A notable example cited in state communications is RusHydro itself, whose headquarters were relocated from Moscow to Krasnoyarsk to reflect this regionalization effort. (citation: Kremlin/News)
Putin emphasized that the state acts as the guarantor of national stability and policy oversight, pointing to the critical role of strong institutions in maintaining protection against arbitrary governance and ensuring continuity of strategic energy projects. The president’s remarks underscore a sustained focus on situating essential infrastructure and governance mechanisms in ways that support long-term economic planning and regional prosperity. (citation: Kremlin/News)