EVALUATING ENERGY SECURITY IN RUSSIA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The paper contains an analysis of approaches to address the concept of energy security. It proposes an original method for the quantitative evaluation of energy security of a territory. It is based on an indicative analysis and consists of a set of performance indicators that describe individual threats to Russia's energy system. The methodology is based on 7 units of indicators, including technical, economic, and environmental performances. Such a structure of the set of diagnostic tools allows detecting a wide range of energy security threats. A brief description of all the units within the methodology is provided. This set of indicators reflects (describes) key threats to energy security. The main results of the study relate to evaluating of the dynamics of changes in energy security in Russia's regions in 2000-2015. Key factors that lower the level of energy security in Russia have been identified. Among them, a high level of wear and tear, higher fuel consumption, increased emissions of pollutants, and low rates of technical reequipment of the energy complex. The paper represents calculated levels of energy security for major regions of Russia by diagram. It proposes directions of the country's energy policy to increase the level of energy prosperity.