The inevitable depletion of traditional energy sources attracts a strong interest in the development of renewable energy technologies around the world. Territorial features and abundance of water resources in Russia have a great potential for small hydropower development, but statistics show that there is no high practical interest in this area. A comparative analysis of the features of the Russian and Chinese energy systems indicates the presence of certain problems in the small hydropower industry of Russia connected with the lack of a strategic understanding of the prospects for the development of the industry at the state level. This situation naturally leads to an increase in investment risks. The purpose of the present research is to determine the conditions that can make the construction of small hydropower plants attractive to investors and lead to the formation of the market of the appropriate technological equipment. Official statistics, planning documents, expert publications in the media and scientific magazines, as well as the author's comparisons of the Russian and Chinese small hydropower regulation measures have been used in the process of analyzing the Russian energy development.

The article discusses the possibilities of promoting the development of the Russian’s oil and gas industry in the current unstable political and economic conditions. The analysis of tools and mechanisms to support the oil and gas industry to ensure energy independence and improve energy security of the fuel and energy complex of the Russian Federation through import substitution of critical technologies, development of legislative and tax measures to stimulate the development of the Russian state company. The authors of the study assess the effectiveness of state and corporate import substitution plans, external trade contracts and markets, as well as provide a forecast of possible ways of development of the oil and gas complex of Russia, taking into account sanctions restrictions, fuel prices and in the future competition with alternative energy sources. The implementation of effective state support for the Russian’s oil and gas industry can contribute to the development of scientific and technological potential of companies to implement the import substitution program, as well as to strengthen the position of the Russian Federation in the global system of energy resources.