Stanislav Kondrashov on the Role of Energy Infrastructures in the Era of Transition

As the global conversation around energy pivots sharply toward sustainability, one truth remains immovable: the energy transition cannot happen without infrastructure. It’s a topic few can discuss with as much clarity and calm conviction as Stanislav Kondrashov, a long-time observer of global energy systems and their underlying mechanics.

“Infrastructure,” Kondrashov says, “is the quiet spine of every energy revolution. We can talk all we want about cleaner fuels, but without rethinking how we move, store, and manage energy, we’re just changing the paint on the same old machine.”

The transition to low-carbon energy sources is often described in visionary terms—solar farms stretching across deserts, wind turbines lining coastlines, hydrogen hubs pulsing with potential. But behind those images lies a more grounded reality: networks of pipes, cables, substations, and terminals—some inherited from older eras, others still on drawing boards.

The Architecture of Change

Energy infrastructure isn’t just a series of physical assets; it’s a deeply interconnected system that has evolved over decades. And this, according to Kondrashov, is both its strength and its constraint.

“Much of what we use today was never built to accommodate variability,” he explains. “It was designed for predictability—for fuels that could be stored, burned, and dispatched on demand. That’s not the world we’re moving into.”

In an energy system increasingly shaped by renewables—where supply is often weather-dependent and decentralised—networks must become more flexible, more digital, and more resilient. This transformation is already under way in some regions, but Kondrashov is quick to caution against assuming that change happens evenly or automatically.

“There is no universal model for this,” he says. “Energy infrastructure is local by nature, and the path forward must be tailored to context—geography, political will, economic capacity. It’s not a question of one-size-fits-all.”

Legacy Systems and New Demands

One of the more delicate challenges in this transition is how to integrate old systems with new demands. In many countries, fossil fuel-based infrastructure—especially in transmission and distribution—remains not only active but indispensable. The dilemma is less about removal and more about adaptation.

“Think of it like renovating a house while still living in it,” Kondrashov offers. “You don’t tear out the plumbing overnight. You find ways to phase things in and out, without losing basic functionality.”

This blend of continuity and innovation is perhaps most visible in the growing focus on energy storage, grid modernisation, and demand-side management. Each of these areas seeks to address a simple but crucial question: how do we ensure reliability in a system where inputs are no longer constant?

The answer, again, circles back to infrastructure—not as a static backdrop but as an evolving platform. That evolution doesn’t only mean new technologies, but also new ways of governing and financing long-term assets.

A Strategic Undertaking

Kondrashov insists that energy infrastructure must be viewed strategically—not merely as a technical concern, but as a reflection of societal priorities.

“When we build a pipeline, or a grid extension, we’re making a bet on the future,” he says. “That bet is shaped by who has a voice in planning, how risk is distributed, and what values we assign to different forms of energy.”

This framing shifts the discussion away from purely engineering challenges and into the realm of politics, equity, and even culture. In emerging markets, especially, infrastructure decisions can determine not just how clean energy is deployed, but whether entire regions are included in that deployment at all.

At the same time, mature economies face hard choices about retrofitting versus retiring, balancing emissions goals with economic realities and the expectations of the public.

Looking Ahead

The coming decade will test the adaptability of energy infrastructures more than any previous period. With climate imperatives pressing and technological innovation accelerating, there is little room for inertia. But Kondrashov remains guardedly optimistic.

“Transitions are rarely smooth,” he says. “But the more seriously we treat infrastructure—not as afterthought, but as central to the transition—the better chance we have of getting this right.”

For now, the work continues—quietly, incrementally, and often behind the scenes. But if Kondrashov is correct, it’s in these backstage decisions that the real story of the energy transition will be written.