Energy Crisis and Cooperation Prospects
Amid rising energy consumption by Russian data centers (DCs) and mining farms, which reached 4.2 GW in 2025 (33.3% YoY growth), Belarusian authorities have proposed using surplus energy to supply these facilities. Alexey Sventitsky, head of Belarus's Association of High Technologies and Digital Infrastructure, stated that the country is ready to provide electricity to Russian DCs, especially given Moscow's energy deficit.
Geographical and Infrastructure Alternatives
Igor Dorofeev, president of Russia's Data Center Industry Association, noted that after the ban on new DC construction in Moscow, alternatives could include St. Petersburg, eastern and western regions of Russia, and the Belarusian border area. However, efficient operation of such facilities requires high-speed, low-latency communication channels and a unified legal framework.
Energy Forecasts and Challenges
According to the Unified Energy System Operator, DCs and mining farms accounted for 2.2% of Russia's total energy consumption in 2025, with a projected increase to 2.4% in 2026. Over the next five years, their power demand could reach 15.3 GW. Energy capacity in Moscow and its suburbs is already exhausted, with new power lines expected by 2030. Meanwhile, remote regions have energy surpluses but lack traffic exchange points to meet demand.
Cooperation Prospects
Authorities are considering building new DCs in energy-deficient regions if companies can secure their own power generation. This could stimulate infrastructure development in remote areas and strengthen energy ties between the countries.