Regional economic development depends on development of fuel and energy industry facilities capable of ensuring a stable and reliable supply of energy carriers. At present, it is impossible to imagine livelihood of population without electrical energy. Russia produces 1094 billion kWh of electrical energy, of which 580 billion kWh is consumed by industry. Electrical energy is the basis for development of all types of economic activities. It is a condition for creation of material values and an increase in the standard of living of population. Modern industrial technologies are characterized by high energy intensity. Industry is dependent on electrical energy which drives power equipment. Electric power affects productivity which is the main indicator of production efficiency. The increase in GRP is mainly accounted for manufacturing industry (high-tech production) and service sector. Such indicators as GRP per capita, the volume of goods shipped by manufacturing industries, consumption of electricity by industry, and electric power per worker characterize sustainable socio-economic development of regions. It is relevant to conduct a statistical analysis of these indicators and identify development prospects to ensure energy security of regions.

Gross regional product (GRP) per capita is the main indicator of the development level in a region, determining budgetary economic security and living standards of the population in the region. The energy sector has a great influence on the economic and sustainable development of the regions. The studying problem of the influence level in electricity consumption, the electrical equipment of labour, the volume of industry shipped products on the level of GRP is relevant. The main indicator of ensuring economic security in the region is a high level of GRP per capita. The factors affecting this indicator are revealed. The paper considers the degree of GRP dependence on the following indicators: electricity consumption in industry, the volume of goods shipped by manufacturing industries, the electrical equipment in industrial work (manufacturing industries). By the method of factor analysis, generalized characteristics of regional development are made.

The authors of the article examine the possibilities of using alternative energy in Tambov region. Natural resources are the main power sources for both production process and human activity. Since hydrocarbon energy sources are not inexhaustible scientists all over the world are searching for new technologies for exploiting renewable power sources. The authors have studied the basic tendencies of Russia energy policy concerning the use of renewable power sources. According to “Energy Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2030” the share of renewable power sources will be increased and local fuel resources will be used in the regions. It is essential to define the opportunities and perspectives of using renewable power sources in Tambov region. The research involves analysis of actinometric and meteorological data in Tambov region. To ground the perspective of using solar energy based power sources the authors estimated the following updating criteria: total solar radiation, daylight hours, average monthly daylight irradiance, average annual and average monthly wind speed. The necessity of using alternative energy in Tambov region is explained by the pace of development of agricultural sector of economy. As a result there is a lot of agricultural waste (straw, grass, manure, sunflower husk, corn stalks, potato tops, bird droppings) which is the main source for bioenergy. To show the benefit of the measures taken the authors have conducted the SWOT-analysis of perspective use of renewable power sources in Tambov region.The study conducted demonstrates the expediency of using renewable power sources to solve the tasks of environmental and energy security