Wind power and the diversification of corporations in the military-industrial complex
Importance The article discusses one of national power security issues within a medium and long period. Russia dramatically lags in wind power engineering and generation. Developing alternative energy sources is an issue of the national power security for Russia. Conventional sources of energy will be depleting within the coming decades. Even now they are actively explored in the Arctic regions, where the cost of resources will significantly appreciate, thus necessitating the polar tariffs. Wind power generation industry will be a brand new industry for Russia. Objectives The research attracts attention of top executives in the military-industrial complex of Russia to establishing the wind power industry as part of diversifying activities of corporations they lead. Methods I analyzed operations of companies manufacturing wind power generating installations and examined three possible scenarios for developing the wind power industry in Russia, i.e. endorsing leading foreign manufacturers of wind power generating installations, setting up joint wind power engineering ventures, creating absolutely domestic production using insufficiently utilized capacities of the aviation industry. Results The research illustrates the economic reasonableness and efficiency of using wind power installations and hybrid wind and diesel power installations in many remote areas of the Russian Federation. Conclusions and Relevance I conclude that if the development of alternative energy sources is further neglected, it will pose a threat to Russia's security. So, I suggest developing wind power generation in addition to the oil and gas industry and involve the existing corporations of the military-industrial complex for this purpose.