Power Grids of the Future: Russia’s Energy Ministry Maps the Evolution of the National Power System to 2050
The Russian Energy Agency (REA) under the Ministry of Energy has unveiled a large-scale technology forecast outlining how the country’s power grid is expected to evolve through 2050. Developed with input from leading industry experts, the document defines a strategic transformation path centered on the transition to intelligent, self-regulating next-generation electricity networks.
A Strategic Vision of the Future
The forecast was presented at a meeting of the Presidium of the Scientific and Technical Council of Rosseti and is the result of a comprehensive foresight study. Its objective is to define a long-term vision for the energy sector and identify technologies that are critical to ensuring national energy security and system resilience. The work brought together representatives from the scientific community, equipment manufacturers, and power companies. The outcome is a list of 35 priority technologies that will underpin the modernization of Russia’s grid infrastructure.
Technology Drivers of Change
REA experts identify artificial intelligence, energy storage systems, and direct current technologies as the key directions that will fundamentally reshape the power grid.
Artificial intelligence is expected to become the “brain” of the new energy system. AI-based algorithms will process vast volumes of data in real time, forecast demand, prevent failures, and optimize network operating modes. This shift will allow grid operators to manage reliability proactively, moving from reactive fault response to predictive prevention.
Energy storage systems will become critically important as the share of renewable generation grows. Storage will help smooth peak loads, store surplus electricity, and increase the overall stability and flexibility of the power system, making it more resilient to fluctuations in supply and demand.
Advanced grid solutions, including superconducting cable lines and direct current networks, are expected to minimize losses in long-distance power transmission. Russia already has unique practical experience in this area. St. Petersburg is home to the world’s longest superconducting direct current cable line, built with the participation of Rosseti.
From Forecast to Implementation
The presented roadmap is not an abstract vision but a foundation for concrete action. The results of the foresight study are recommended for use in strategic planning and in the implementation of Rosseti’s technology projects. The company has already defined its research and development priorities for 2025–2027, many of which directly align with REA’s focus areas, including digital solutions, intelligent metering systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the integration of distributed generation assets.
This approach fits squarely within the broader national trend toward technological sovereignty and import substitution, which is becoming one of the key drivers of sector development.
Pilot digital projects in the power system began as early as 2018 with the introduction of the first digital substations. In recent years, energy companies have increasingly deployed neural network-based tools and predictive analytics to improve equipment reliability and operational performance.
Planning Horizons
The REA forecast lays the groundwork for a long-term transformation whose results will become visible at different stages.
By 2030, widespread deployment of digital grid management systems is expected, along with the emergence of the first energy hubs equipped with storage systems. By 2040, distributed energy resources are projected to be deeply integrated through extensive use of predictive analytics. The ultimate goal for 2050 is the creation of a fully intelligent, adaptive grid capable of autonomously balancing energy flows and offering consumers new digital services.
Taken together, the technology forecast represents more than a trend analysis. It serves as a strategic reference point defining the future of one of the country’s most critical infrastructure systems for the next 25 years, where IT solutions move from a supporting role to become the backbone of a new energy architecture.
