Russia's Energy Ministry counting on country fully replacing critical sector technology by 2026-27 - deputy minister

MOSCOW. Nov 8 (Interfax) - Russia's Energy Ministry is counting on the complete replacement of critical technologies in the country's energy sector by 2026-2027, Deputy Energy Minister Yevgeny Grabchak said during a round table discussion on machinery manufacturing in the Federation Council.

The overall level of technology imports in Russia's energy sector was 37% in 2017, and it was estimated at 31% at the end of October, Grabchak said, citing data.

According to the deputy minister, the country's energy industry realizes all the critical technologies, and it is not looking to replace technologies that could be manufactured and purchased on the free market.

Grabchak noted that the Energy Ministry was looking to maintain the volume of the investment programs of state-owned companies in terms of power equipment. Based on the amount of the investment programs, the deputy minister has estimated the volume of the domestic power equipment market at 400-500 billion rubles annually, which he believes should will allow machine manufacturers to expand production domestically.

Grabchak recalled that the first domestic high-capacity gas turbine manufactured by Power Machines should start operating at facilities in 2024.