Published on: 2026-11-02
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
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Deputy Chairman of the Government – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District Oleg Kozhemyako discussed the socio-economic development of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug with the region’s head Dmitry Artyukhov. The agenda included issues of the main directions of strategic development of the Arctic region, its role in ensuring energy security, and the implementation of national projects.
“The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug is important not only for the Arctic but for the entire country. The region produces a lot of oil and gas, and their processing is carried out. It is important that the infrastructure matches all these global projects and not only ensures the quality of life for the people working here but also helps to increase the number of residents. Master plans, the implementation of which has already begun, give such an impetus to the development of the main cities. The construction of a new terminal at Salekhard airport, a tourist cluster, and bridges is planned, which requires significant investments. All this creates attractiveness for the northern territories. Let’s discuss the most significant facilities whose construction we can assist with. I plan to visit your region to assess the priority projects on site,” began the meeting Oleg Kozhemyako.
Dmitry Artyukhov presented Oleg Kozhemyako with a comprehensive overview of Yamal’s socio-economic potential, emphasizing its status as the energy heart of Russia. The district accounts for about 80% of all Russian gas production and approximately 78% of the cargo turnover of the Northern Sea Route. Yamal is the main center of liquefied natural gas production in the country, providing 67% of the national volume.
“Yamal is the country’s main producing region. About 80% of Russian gas is extracted here, and we provide the primary cargo throughput for the Northern Sea Route. Unique LNG projects are being implemented in the district. A new oil field has been discovered, and in oil production we have risen to second place in the country. In the Arctic zone, Yamal accounts for half of the GRP, production, and investments. All this provides a good social effect: Yamal residents look confidently to the future, create large and strong families, and tie their future to our region. One of the most eloquent examples is the demographic indicators. For several years now, Yamal has ranked third in the country in total fertility rate, and we are making every effort to increase the number of young Yamal residents as much as possible,” said Dmitry Artyukhov.
The meeting discussed plans for upgrading the gas infrastructure and improving production efficiency in the Nadym-Pur-Taz district. In October last year, during the international forum “Russian Energy Week,” Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Government to implement a program to develop hard-to-recover gas reserves in the district, which will attract additional investments to the region.
The possibilities of using low-pressure gas from depleted fields for powering data centers were considered. Yamal is one of the most attractive and promising regions for hosting information and computing infrastructure, and the climatic advantages of the autonomous district, combined with the potential to secure long-term contracts for gas and electricity at a low price, can ensure high profitability of data center construction projects, with capacities that in the medium term could reach about 2 GW, opening new horizons for the digital economy in the Arctic.
Special attention is given to the master plans of key settlements, developed by order of the President of Russia: these define the scenarios for city development, key directions, and strategic projects. Novy Urengoy will develop as a leading center for technologically advanced gas production, the Salekhard – Labytnangi agglomeration will become a center for tourism and recreation with modern logistics, and Noyabrsk will strengthen its position as a leader in hard-to-recover oil and gas condensate extraction. The implementation of the master plans for the key cities will give a new impetus to economic activity, job creation, and improving the quality of life of the northern residents.
The parties discussed the development of a tourist cluster in the Polar Urals, including a mountain resort based on the Rai-Iz massif within the framework of the Salekhard – Labytnangi support zone: the project involves creating modern infrastructure for year-round recreation and has been implemented since 2022 under a concession agreement in several stages, with the first stage planned to establish ski infrastructure facilities, four-star and three-star hotels with a total capacity of 320 rooms, a spa center of at least 5,000 square meters, restaurants, cafes, and other leisure facilities by 2029.
The progress of the project to build the international Arctic station “Snezhinka” was presented – a unique joint project of MIPT and the Yamalo government in the Jade Valley on the Polar Urals. The facility will serve as a test site for hydrogen energy, unmanned systems, and life support technologies under Extreme North conditions. A road is actively being constructed to provide access to “Snezhinka” and the tourist cluster. This year, specialists will begin the delivery, installation, and commissioning of unique research equipment acquired within the framework of the federal project “Clean Energy.”
The parties also discussed a project for the construction of rental housing for public sector employees and other in-demand specialists: the availability of rental homes solves the key issue for attracting the specialists needed in the district – housing. The first four houses were commissioned in 2023 in Novy Urengoy, and another was put into operation the same year in Salekhard, with a total of 298 apartments. Soon, a rental building with 176 apartments will begin construction in Labytnangi for sought-after specialists and their families.
Another topic of the meeting was the work on monitoring changes in permafrost: under climate change conditions, when ground temperatures in Salekhard have risen by 2°C over 50 years, Yamal has created an advanced geotechnical monitoring system. It includes 80 thermometer wells. Since 2025, a comprehensive soil laboratory with domestic equipment has been operating in Salekhard, allowing a full cycle of construction material testing and minimizing risks for energy sector and city infrastructure. In Novy Urengoy, a comprehensive road laboratory operates, which monitors the quality of roadworks. This summer, specialists conducted tests of materials for preparing asphalt concrete mixes, bitumen emulsions, asphalt concrete mixes, and tested cores from constructed pavements.
Dmitry Artyukhov also presented a large-scale project for the modernization of the region’s main aviation hub – Salekhard Airport, being implemented under a concession agreement. It is a key element of the master plan for the development of the Arctic agglomeration. The project involves modernizing the existing terminal and constructing a new terminal complex, major repairs and reconstruction of aerodrome facilities, developing services, and enhancing passenger comfort and safety, with the complex’s area and capacity increasing threefold – to 13,400 sq. m and up to 600 passengers per hour, respectively.
“Yamal was the first in the country to implement unique infrastructure projects within the framework of public-private partnership. One such example is the modernization of the airport in Novy Urengoy, the gas capital of Russia. Today, it is one of the most beautiful and modern terminals in the Arctic: it was built without a single ruble of budget funds. Next in line is a similar project in the district’s capital, which will provide new opportunities for the development of the urban agglomeration of Salekhard and Labytnangi as a center for tourism development in Yamal and will immediately create the proper first impression for guests upon arrival,” said Yamal governor Dmitry Artyukhov.
Oleg Kozhemyako highly appreciated the systematic approach of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug leadership to developing the territory, noting the balance between industrial potential and social responsibilities to the region’s residents.
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