Since February 1, a pilot project has been launched in Russia, which aims to create an online platform for buying and selling electricity. This digital experiment, covering seven regions of the Russian Federation, including Khakassia, Udmurtia, and Altai Krai, will last until the end of 2027.
The concept of the new approach resembles familiar marketplaces; however, only legal entities will be able to use it, excluding ordinary citizens from participation. Business consumers will have the opportunity to search for the most favorable tariffs in real-time, compare offers from various suppliers, and connect additional services to optimize electricity consumption. Guaranteeing suppliers will oversee the operation of these platforms in the regions.
Although the project promises convenience and transparency, many experts and consumers remain cautious. The main reason for concern lies in the financial aspects. There is a possibility that the costs of developing and maintaining the new IT platforms will fall on consumers, which could lead to an increase in tariffs. Authorities will assess the success of the pilot based on the number of transactions concluded in digital format.
