PROBLEMS OF DIGITALIZATION OF KEY SECTORS OF THE ECONOMIES IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS: SMART GRID IN ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY
The digital transformation of the fuel and energy complex is not just a global trend, but an indispensable condition for the sustainable and competitive development of national economies, adjusted for ESG factors. The article examines the development of digital technologies in the Russian and Belarusian energy sector. Comparative analysis and assessment of the concepts of introducing intelligent digital solutions in Russia and Belarus made it possible to formulate problems and determine the growth points of the Russian and Belarusian energy sector. Russia and Belarus are countries belonging to the same integration group - the "Union State of Russia and Belarus". This group does not have a single energy market. Belarus and Russia can create common markets for oil, oil products, gas and electricity, at best, only by 2022.The purpose of this article is to discuss the results of reforming the Russian and current problems of the Belarusian electric power industry, develop and substantiate proposals for the formation of an agreed strategy for the development of the electric power industry in Russia and Belarus. A serious problem uniting Russia and Belarus in relation to other countries, and above all to the EU, is the introduction in March 2021 of a tax on CO2 emissions, which will have a significant impact on the economic development of these countries. The solution to these problems is possible due to the maximum integration, automation and computerization of existing power supply networks based on the creation and widespread implementation of "smart grids". The study is aimed at disclosing the results of the development of digital energy and smart grids, an overview of global trends in the digitalization of energy grids and electricity markets in the context of the Energy Strategy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2035 and the National Strategy for Sustainable of the Republic of Belarus up to 2035 (hereinafter NSDS-2035). Evaluation of the efficiency of digitalization of electrical networks was carried out on the basis of a study of the positions of the expert community and the practice of digitalization of the control system, collection, processing and analysis of energy consumption data in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.