Russia Goes Digital to Speed Up Power Access for Small Businesses

Electronic contracts are cutting red tape, giving small and medium enterprises faster access to the grid.

Russia’s ongoing digital transformation of the energy sector is starting to reshape how small and medium-sized businesses operate. One major shift: connecting to the power grid no longer requires paper contracts. Companies can now submit all documents electronically, significantly reducing wait times.

The move eliminates a familiar bureaucratic headache. Instead of shuttling back and forth with signed papers, businesses get real-time validation through the system, which automatically checks for duplicate entries and reduces processing delays. That means less time wasted on routine paperwork—for both energy providers and their clients.

The new rule applies to facilities requiring between 150 and 670 kilowatts of capacity. In practice, that covers nearly the entire spectrum of small and medium enterprises, from office buildings and shopping centers to hotels and service complexes. Officials say the reform is designed to streamline growth, giving entrepreneurs quicker access to infrastructure critical for expansion.