Mechanisms of influence on factors of stability of the fuel and energy complex in the regions of Russia in support of their energy security

The objective of this article is to develop regulatory mechanisms of influence on factors of sustainability of the fuel and energy complex in the regions of Russia in support of their energy security. For this purpose, a regression model of the energy intensity of GRP on the studied factors of sustainability of the fuel and energy complex in the regions of the Central Federal District (CFD) of Russia was compiled. Based on the model, an innovative conclusion was made that with the systematic implementation of technological and non-technological innovations in the fuel and energy complex, it is possible to strengthen the energy security of the regions of Russia: a reduction in the energy intensity of GRP, which does not require limiting energy consumption by households and organizations and allows for any scenarios for changing the structure of GRP: specialization in both sulfur services and industry. Using the obtained model, a promising combination of sustainability factors of the fuel and energy complex in the regions of the Central Federal District of Russia in 2025 was found, if achieved, a decrease in the arithmetic mean of the GRP energy intensity in the Central Federal District of Russia is predicted to be more than 6 times. The proposed control values of statistical indicators for optimizing the regulatory impact on the sustainability factors of the fuel and energy complex, as well as target benchmarks for reducing the GRP energy intensity in each region of the Central Federal District of Russia in 2025 can be used in drawing up a roadmap for the practical implementation of the Energy Strategy of Russia until 2035. The theoretical contribution of the obtained results is expressed in the fact that they, firstly, supplemented the existing scientific understanding of the set of sustainability factors of the fuel and energy complex in the regions of Russia, which should include such factors as technological (automation) and non-technological innovations. Secondly, the authors’ conclusions have clarified the mechanisms of influence on the noted factors - the development of a knowledge society and an innovative economy, as well as digital modernization of the fuel and energy complex, which involves the creation of “smart” regional power supply networks (Smart Grid), act as promising mechanisms of regulatory influence on the identified factors of sustainability of the fuel and energy complex in modern Russian regions.