The Energy Sector Amid an Industry 4.0: Issues of Information Support Transformation

The article is focused on the issue of providing information for the energy sector in the modern economy. The purpose of the article is to summarize ways of collecting and analyzing primary data in the energy sector in order to complete the methodology harmonization in accordance with international standards. The methodological basis of the study is the theory of input–output tables, the concept of Industry 4.0, the basic provisions of national accounts; and the methods used by the authors are balance comparisons, economic and structural analysis, as well as methods of peer review. Input data sources for each level of information support have been systematized. The characteristic of the system of indicators and the model for constructing energy balances are generalized, within whose framework the analysis of the production and use of energy resources is carried out taking into account the new opportunities of Industry 4.0. Methodological improvement of the official questionnaires of enterprises, the integration of administrative and alternative sources, their harmonization with regional and departmental data will enhance the information support of fuel and energy balances at various levels. The paper finds out that the final harmonization of the energy statistics system in accordance with the recommendations of international organizations will improve it amid Industry 4.0. The integration of accounting, statistical and tax reporting and the construction of satellite accounts taking into consideration negative environmental trends will promote completing the national methodology transformation. Since, in a market economy, the fuel and energy balance often reveals a mismatch between the social demand for energy and its supply, its social focus can be adjusted by government regulation. The present analytical potential of the FEB forecasts revealed by the authors contribute to improving the economy’s energy efficiency and reducing the energy intensity of GDP, overcoming global crises, especially in the context of the Covid-19, further sustainable development of the economy and social sphere of Russia.