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"A Serious Challenge for the Economy": How Far Electricity Prices Are Allowed to Go Up and Who Will Suffer the Most
The highest electricity costs are expected in Chukotka - up to 11.36 rubles per kWh. In Moscow, the maximum price for electricity will increase from 6.99 rubles. Up to 7.87 rubles. Per kWh in St. Petersburg, it fluctuates from 6.19 to 6.97 rubles. The lowest tariff is set for the Irkutsk region, the LPR and the DPR - less than 2 rubles. per kWh.
It is important to note that in 73 regions tariffs vary depending on electricity consumption. The minimum and maximum tariff levels are set by the FAS limit tariff for the first consumption range (minimum). Officials of the antimonopoly agency note that maximum tariffs are set for several purposes. Firstly, to reduce cross-subsidization and non-domestic consumption. Secondly, it prevents the application of preferential tariffs to "gray" mining. What does this mean for all of us? Details in the MSK1.RU article.
Tariffs developed for the second half of 2025 correspond to the index of growth in electricity prices provided for by the FAS forecasts. The forecast for the country's socio-economic development for 2025-2027 assumes that prices for utilities will grow by 11.9% in 2025, by 5.4% in 2026 and by 4.8% in 2027.
The FAS has not yet established a "range" of electricity tariffs for businesses. However, it is already clear that a sharp increase in electricity tariffs for the population will indirectly affect businesses, says Ivan Petrov, professor of the industrial markets department at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, MSK1.RU.
— Per capita consumption is highest in regions with low tariffs for the population. This may indicate that some consumers are private businesses: mini-hotels, sewing shops, mining farms, etc.," explains Petrov. — In most regions, the increase in electricity tariffs for the population in 2025 will be minimal. However, if we take into account the full cost of housing and communal services, we will see a significant reduction in the population's available funds, which could become a source of income for local businesses.
Financial consultant Anna Vedeneyeva agrees with Petrov. According to her, the rise in electricity prices is a serious challenge for the entire economy, whether for ordinary Russians or private companies.
"In the current economic conditions, many enterprises are already facing rising costs for raw materials and logistics. Rising electricity prices will certainly affect competitiveness and profitability," says Vedeneyeva.
— For the population, the average price increase is 9%. As for enterprises, we can assume that they are comparable. Who will suffer the most?
Small and medium-sized business owners will also have to rethink their business models. For example, service businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls will need to optimize their energy consumption to reduce costs or increase prices for their services.
The danger also lies in chain reactions. Rising prices in energy-dependent industries can lead to rising prices for goods and services throughout the supply chain. This will further increase inflation and reduce the purchasing power of the population. As a result, businesses face double pressure: rising costs and falling demand.
— Companies will begin to more actively implement technologies that reduce energy consumption and consider alternative energy sources. By the way, this is a reserve for the future. This will help increase resilience in the face of future changes in energy markets. But for this, of course, government support is needed in the form of subsidies and programs for modernizing energy equipment.