Problems and peculiar features of pricing on the wholesale electric power and capacity market

The article aims to analyze the pricing processes in the wholesale electricity and capacity market of the Russian Federation and to identify their problems and peculiar features. The tested hypothesis of the study is that the peculiar features of pricing in united energy systems are explained by the influence of several separate but interrelated factors that cause multidirectional problems when generating and grid companies implement pricing strategies under the conditions of energy transition, which implies refocusing on renewable energy sources. The content-related methodology of the article includes the study of electric power and capacity pricing regularities and is based on the system approach. The research tools included analysis and synthesis, study and generalization, statistical and economic analysis, and graphical method. The adequate objectives of the article are represented by the scientific analysis of modern views of researchers on the problems and peculiar features of pricing based on the results of the evolution of publications in this field; analysis of the current state of the energy industry in the Russian Federation; determining the volume of electricity consumption and actual generation in the Russian Federation; analysis of the distribution of investment projects in the energy industry according to the structure of united Russian energy systems, and analysis of the problems and peculiar features of pricing in the territories of the Central IPS (integrated power system), the North-West IPS, the South IPS, the Middle Volga IPS, the Urals IPS, the Siberia IPS, the East IPS. The results obtained according to the verification of the research hypothesis allowed identifying separate but interrelated factors which cause differently directed problems in the implementation of pricing strategies by generating and grid companies and affect the specifics of pricing: concentration of large industrial consumers; infrastructural development of energy facilities and the extensive power transmission network; competition between players in the wholesale electricity and capacity market; the share of regulated tariffs in the wholesale electricity and capacity market; development of investment raising in the electric power industry; compensation of costs incurred by generating and grid companies through state subsidies; introduction of technologies aimed at improving pricing management efficiency in electricity consumption demand management; nodal price management to ensure market equilibrium in pricing; price index management under various operating scenarios of the energy system. Brief results of the work reflecting the practical significance of the research findings are determined by their applicability in the activities of generating and grid companies of the RF energy industry aimed at improving pricing management efficiency under the conditions of energy transition and raising energy efficiency.