Russia Ministry of Energy: Nikolai Shulginov reported to Vladimir Putin on the course of the heating season

Nikolai Shulginov at a meeting on the passage of the heating season reported to Vladimir Putin on the work of the energy complex in the autumn-winter period.

“This year, the heating period is taking place against the backdrop of a noticeable increase in electricity consumption and maximum loads on generating and network equipment. Since the beginning of the year, the growth in electricity consumption has amounted to 5.4% compared to last year, and even by 2019, 2.8%,” the Minister said.

According to him, the energy system of Russia continues to maintain stability and stability of work, reserves of generating capacities and throughput capacity of the backbone grid complex have been secured. Thermal power plants have created the necessary fuel reserves, which exceed the approved standards and amount to: for coal – more than 13 million tons, for fuel oil – more than 2 million tons. Underground gas storages are filled to the target level. Reserves of hydro resources have been created at HPPs.

The accident rate at generating facilities and in high voltage networks of 110 kV and above has been decreasing over the past three years, Nikolai Shulginov noted.

The head of the energy department also paid special attention to the accident at Ulan-Ude CHPP-1, which was told to the President by a journalist from Buryatia during a press conference.

“Taking into account the accident, the regional authorities need to develop an action plan for backing up thermal generation at Ulan-Ude CHPP-1 through the construction of heat networks and adjusting the heat supply scheme,” he stressed.

The minister also proposed to implement a number of system solutions for all Russian regions – to simulate the hydraulic modes of operation of the heat supply complex when developing heat supply schemes, as well as to identify critical nodes of the heat supply system. To implement these tasks, it is necessary to build additional infrastructure.

“One of the possible solutions may be the use of the “alternative boiler house” method, which creates conditions for attracting private investment in the heat supply complex while increasing responsibility for reliable, high-quality heat supply. Today in Russia, more than 30 cities are already working according to this method,” the head of the Ministry of Energy explained.

In addition, he pointed to the need for the regional authorities to develop detailed plans for responding to and eliminating violations of heat supply until the schemes are brought into line with reliability requirements.

“In the next inspections of the autumn-winter period of 2022-2023, we will introduce into the readiness conditions the requirements for the availability of redundancy for residential heat supply systems in cities where there are no such reserves yet. We will provide for training to eliminate accidents in heat supply systems,” added Nikolai Shulginov.

The minister also reported on the lack of tariff sources to cover the costs of maintaining the normal functioning of the distribution grid complex. “The way out of this situation, in addition to decisions on balancing tariff decisions, is the implementation of targeted programs to improve reliability,” he said.

Such programs have been developed jointly with regional authorities, grid companies in the republics of the North Caucasus – the Republic of Dagestan, the Chechen Republic, the Republic of Ingushetia, as well as in the Pskov, Novgorod, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Tver regions, Primorsky Krai and Sakhalin. In some regions, the implementation of programs has already begun, in the remaining regions, the issue of financing and the search for non-tariff sources is being resolved.

“The required amount of funding for all these regions is about 136 billion rubles, of which about half must be allocated from the federal budget. The regions alone, I believe, will not be able to cope with this task – federal support is needed, ”said Nikolai Shulginov.

The head of the Ministry of Energy also recalled the work being carried out in accordance with the instructions of the President to reduce the number of unscrupulous small territorial grid organizations that maintain power grids in poor condition. The Ministry of Energy has prepared amendments to the regulatory framework on the creation of a reference TSO to ensure reliable power supply to consumers.

In conclusion, Nikolai Shulginov reported on the readiness of power engineers to eliminate possible power supply disruptions during the holidays.

Vladimir Putin supported the proposals to improve the work of the energy complex, noting the importance of improving the regulatory framework for the reliable operation of the power grid. He stressed that it is necessary to work out solutions to problems in contact with regional, local authorities and businesses, as well as to speed up the process of taking on the balance of ownerless power grids.