The Relationship between Private and Public Law Principles in Energy Legislation

The paper examines the problems of the relationship between private law and public law principles in energy legislation. Based on an analysis of the historical development of Russian and foreign energy legislation, it is concluded that, at its core, energy law is private law. The features of the subject and method of energy law are analyzed, and the criteria for identifying the subject of energy law are outlined. In order to determine the essence of energy law, the author proposes a concept of areas of law, which include energy law. The paper examines the features of organizational and regulatory structures (institutions) in energy legislation, which are the most important structural elements of energy law. Examples of the mutual influence of norms and institutions of private and public law in the energy sector are considered, and the specifics of the functions and objectives of contractual regulation in the energy sector are indicated. The key practical problems of the energy sector are identified, the scientific study of which is a priority for legal science in this area.