Starting from February 1, a pilot project has been launched in Russia dedicated to the implementation of online platforms for electricity trading. The experiment, which will last until the end of 2027, will cover seven regions of the Federation, including Khakassia, Udmurtia, Altai Krai, and several other areas.
This initiative is essentially reminiscent of online marketplaces, but access will be limited only to legal entities, not private individuals. Business consumers will be able to use special platforms to search for optimal rates in real time, compare conditions from different suppliers, and connect additional services for more efficient electricity use. Oversight of these platforms will be carried out by guaranteeing suppliers in the regions.
Despite the promised simplicity and transparency of the process, both experts and consumers express concerns. The main issue lies in the financial aspects. There are worries that the costs of developing and maintaining new IT platforms may ultimately be passed on to consumers, leading to an increase in tariffs that are already high. The effectiveness of the pilot project will be assessed based on the number of real transactions concluded in digital format.
