Mirokhina A.A. Energy Infrastructure as a Driver of Economic Space Formation of Agricultural and Industrial Regions of the South of Russia

Alla A.  Mirokhina
MIREA – Russian Technological University Stavropol Branch, Stavropol, Russian Federation

Abstract. A systematic analysis of the energy infrastructure in the context of the formation of the economic space of agricultural and industrial regions of the South of Russia (Volgograd and Rostov regions and Krasnodar and Stavropol Krais) was made. The purpose of this study is to theoretically substantiate the importance of energy in the framework model of the economic space and then test it empirically, classify development drivers, describe energy infrastructure, assess the potential for sustainable economic growth in the regions under study, and identify opportunities to reduce development differences between them. The relevance of the topic is due to the strategic importance of the regions of the South of Russia, which are the main agricultural and food donors, where spatial disparity, seasonal peaks in energy consumption, and an unbalanced energy balance limit the orderly development of the economic space and competitiveness in the face of climate risks’ challenges, sanctions, and consumption growth. The scientific novelty is manifested in a comprehensive classification of development drivers with an emphasis on the agro-industrial type of regions, empirical analysis of energy infrastructure, integration of wind farms in Stavropol, and modeling of a poles and nodes framework structure that adapts the theories of Granberg, Krugman, and Lösch to the specifics of the South of Russia and fills in gaps in regional research. The research methods cover the theoretical and methodological synthesis of classical concepts, statistical and comparative analysis, tabular systematization, and SWOT assessment of infrastructure. The materials include data from reports by Rosstat, the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, Rosenergoatom, RusHydro, and scientific sources. The results confirm that energy reduces transaction costs by 15–20%, forming a connected space; the Volgograd region is energy balanced; the Rostov region is energy surplus; Krasnodar Krai is energy deficient; Stavropol Krai is energy surplus; and development prospects until 2030 provide for the development of renewable energy sources and modernization of power transmission lines.
Key words: economic space, energy infrastructure, agricultural and industrial regions, South of Russia, framework model, development drivers.
Citation. Mirokhina A.A., 2026. Energy Infrastructure as a Driver of Economic Space Formation of Agricultural and Industrial Regions of the South of Russia. Regionalnaya ekonomika. Yug Rossii [Regional Economy. South of Russia], vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 142-152. (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15688/re.volsu.2026.1.14

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