Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters in the book. The book highlights the vast potential that Russia has in renewable energy, as well as obstacles to renewable energy research and investment in the country. Relatively little information is available on Russia and renewable energy, so this should be of interest to readers generally involved in global renewable energy issues, as well as those more specifically interested in Russian politics and economics, or in the Eurasian energy balance. The book provides a detailed picture of the actors and framework conditions in Russia's renewable energy sector. It examines cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the Russian Federation, and use the cooperation between the Nordic countries and Russia as an informative case study. The EU is Russia's largest trade partner, and within the EU the Nordic countries have spearheaded relations with Russia.