Russia and the Former Soviet Union (FSU) region are critical to the global energy system. The countries in this area are undergoing significant transformations, leading to dramatic shifts in their energy policies and sector performance. This course provides students with essential knowledge and skills to understand the historical and macroeconomic background of institutional frameworks in the post-Soviet energy sector, including regulation and state governance. It addresses major challenges facing Russia and other FSU countries in energy, both domestically and globally, and the tools used to address them. We will discuss competing political and commercial agendas, key stakeholders, and actual centers of decision-making. Specifics of market organization, access to resources, ownership, pricing, and taxation will be covered, along with the stated and actual priorities of national energy policies. While focusing on Russia, we will also examine the energy policies of Ukraine and Caspian countries. Special attention is given to the current situation and prospects of main energy industries—traditional oil, gas, coal, the power sector—as well as new energy and the energy transition agenda.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Critically analyze the historical, political, and macroeconomic foundations of the institutional frameworks in the FSU energy sector, including regulation and state governance. Students will demonstrate an understanding of market organization, resource access, ownership structures (public vs. private), pricing, and taxation, as well as identify key stakeholders, their interests, and the interactions between corporate and national priorities and real centers of decision-making.
2. Interpret and evaluate energy data and outlooks for FSU countries, including energy balances (resources, production, consumption, and exports). Students will also assess the current state and future prospects of key energy industries in the region—such as oil, gas, coal, and the power sector—within the context of global energy trends.
3. Assess and propose solutions to the challenges facing Russia and other FSU countries in the energy sector, both domestically and globally. Students will be equipped to evaluate alternatives for national energy policies, considering geopolitical, economic, and environmental dimensions.
Professional Skills
Research & Analysis - Gathering, interpreting, and critically analyzing information to deepen understanding of complex topics or issues within the energy sector.
Critical Thinking - Engaging in reflective and independent thinking to evaluate diverse perspectives, identify biases, and make informed decisions.
Teamwork and Collaboration - Collaborating effectively with peers to achieve shared goals, leveraging diverse strengths, and managing group dynamics constructively.
Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement - Understanding and addressing the priorities, concerns, and motivations of various stakeholders, including negotiation and consensus-building.
Oral and Written Communication - Developing clear and persuasive communication skills for presenting ideas and findings effectively in both verbal and written formats.
Policy Evaluation and Strategic Thinking - Assessing energy policies, identifying challenges, and proposing actionable solutions grounded in evidence and strategic foresight.
Data Interpretation and Visualization - Analyzing quantitative and qualitative data and presenting insights through clear and impactful visualizations.
Geopolitical Awareness - Applying a nuanced understanding of regional and global geopolitical contexts to assess their influence on energy systems and policies.
Problem-Solving in Complex Systems - Identifying and solving challenges in interconnected systems with competing priorities, such as economic, environmental, and social dimensions.
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 20 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 30 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 60 hours a semester
• Individual participation in the class work (questions, comments, brainstorming): 10% (in two weeks)
• Group work (business games): 20% (in two weeks)
• Individual oral presentation: 30 % (in two weeks after the presentation)
• Individual final policy paper: 40% (end of the semester)