The role of innovative clusters in the development of the regional heat and power complex

The relevance of the formation and development of innovative clusters for the regional economy is due to the fact that the creation or maintenance of a competitive advantage is one of the key factors in the long-term success of subjects in the market. Since the actions of individual market participants are not always enough to obtain satisfactory results, therefore, organizations are looking for partners, combining and strengthening their competencies to achieve benefits for all parties involved. The methodology of the article is based on the use of scientific methods within the framework of a systematic approach: systematization and generalization, logical and comparative analysis. The purpose of the article is an attempt to clarify the role of innovative clusters in the development of the regional heat and power complex due to the emergence of cooperation in cluster structures. To achieve this goal, the article substantiates that clusters are a natural consequence of the association of entities for the joint implementation of specific projects. At the same time, if the parties involved are market competitors, then we are dealing with a strategy called joint competition, which combines the concepts of cooperation and competition, which constitute a separate concept in strategic management. As a result, one can highlight the substantiation of the role of innovative clusters, combining cooperation and competition at the same time, in the development of the regional heat and power complex through the use of the synergy effect, which is expressed in measurable overall benefits.