12 March 2012: The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) has issued a report, titled “Comparison of Russian and Japanese Patterns for Energy Use: Implications for Business and Policy.” The report compares Russian and Japanese energy statistics and provides suggestions for investment opportunities in Russia.

The report highlights business opportunities for Japanese investments in several areas, including: energy efficient facilities for energy-intensive industries; road, air and inner water transportation systems; residential and commercial sectors’ energy supplies; energy transformation, conversion and transportation; and the extraction of primary energy.

The report compares energy pricing, domestic energy consumption, modes of transportation, and residential and commercial sector energy systems in Russia and Japan, noting, inter alia: an evolution towards market-based pricing for electricity and natural gas in Russia; and differences in energy efficiency, technology use and supply infrastructure.

The report also analyzes the driving forces for investments in transformation sectors in Russia, emphasizing the importance of government regulation, the liberalization of energy markets, and government incentives for renewable energy. Regarding primary energy supply, the report stresses the diversification of Russian energy export routes, and the large potential for renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal and tidal energy.

IEEJ is an Associate Member of the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD), a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) facilitated knowledge network on energy, development, and environment issues. [Publication: Comparison of Russian and Japanese Patterns for Energy Use: Implications for Business and Policy]