ABSTRACT
The challenge of energy security and energy efficiency is one of the key priority areas of research, as the level of a country’s energy resources largely determines the stability and dynamics of its socio-economic development. On the basis of the DEA-BBC I model, estimates of the levels of energy efficiency in the regions of Southern Russia were obtained. The regions with suboptimal use of resources, for the relatively more efficient subjects of the Russian Federation were identified, showing that the significant potential of energy efficiency in the regions of Southern Russia can be realized by promoting innovation and bridging the technological gap between the regions, in the interests of a balanced and sustainable development of the mezzo-economic systems under consideration.
