Authors

Anna Korppoo¹;  ¹ Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Norway

Discussion

The Russian coal sector is attempting to find new export markets mainly in Asia but the limited transport capacity is insufficient for diverting all coal production. As a result, some coal producing regions are winners whilst others are losers as the sector is regionally rebalancing towards the new market area. This paper outlines transformations of the coal sector in six main coal producing regions in Russia (Kemerovo, Krasnoyarsk, Yakutia, Khakassia, Sakhalin and Transbaikal), and the societal debate it spurs. The paper also sketches rough future scenarios for the Russian coal sector examining the implications of and prospects for a successful diversion to the Asian markets, asking: how likely is the 'turn to the east' policy work for Russia, and what are the likely socio-economic developments in the coal production regions should it fail? Is there a plan B?