Assessment of energy saving management system in the economy of the northern regions

The relevance of the research is determined by the need to significantly reduce energy intensity through more rational use of energy, as well as the desire to build an economy on the principles of sustainable development. In the North of Russia the problem is of particular importance due to the mutual influence of natural fac- tors and the existing system of economic and life activity.Many works related to energy saving are of practical nature, and pay little atten- tion to the theory and methodology of this process. In order to select the optimal organizational structures to stimulate energy saving, we conducted a comparative and case-study analysis of energy efficiency in the European North of Russia. The principles of behavioral economics are accepted as a theoretical basis.The results of the analysis show that the slow growth of energy efficiency in the North of Russia is due to low rates of economic development and insufficient qua- litative changes in the structure of the regional gross product. Actually, energy saving as a technological factor turned out to be a secondary condition for increas- ing efficiency.The main reason restraining energy saving is the lack of motivation of economic agents. To assess the situation, the differences in the behavioral attitudes of energy producers, consumers and regulators were analyzed. The search for solutions is based on the balance of interests, with the energy service contract considered as an instrument for coordination. However, its limitations associated with the lack of short-term benefits for the consumer, require the development of compensators for the delayed effect of energy savings.