Novak Steps down as Russian Energy Minister

Russian energy minister Alexander Novak is stepping down after eight years in the post, the Russian government reported on November 9.

Prime minister Mikhail Mishustin proposed that Novak go on to serve as a deputy prime minister. He will be replaced by Nikolai Shulginov, the chairman of state-run hydropower group RusHydro since 2015.

Novak's departure from the energy ministry comes as part of a broader government reshuffle that will also see natural resources minister Dmitry Kobylkin, transport minister Yevgeny Dietrich, construction minister Vladimir Yakushev and minister for the development of the Far East and the Arctic, Alexander Kozlov, leave their roles.

Kozlov will go on to head the natural resources ministry, while the transport ministry will be led by Vitaly Savelyev, CEO of Russia's largest airline Aeroflot. Irek Fayzullin will be appointed head of the construction ministry, where he currently serves as a deputy minister, while Alexei Chekunkov, a board member at RusHydro, will serve as Far Eastern and Arctic development minister.

Novak was appointed energy minister in May 2012. His main role since 2016 has been overseeing Russia's co-operation with other Opec+ members on oil production cuts. Novak has strongly supported keeping Russia in the oil cartel, even while many leading figures in Russia's oil industry have been fiercely critical of the pact. His ministry has also locked horns on several occasions with the finance ministry over tax breaks for the sector.