Russia Ministry of Energy: Nikolay Shulginov: “The growth of electricity consumption in the North-West Federal District in the autumn-winter period will be 2.7%”

Nikolai Shulginov chaired a meeting of the Government Commission for Ensuring the Safety of Electricity Supply (federal headquarters) to prepare the subjects of the electric power industry of the Northwestern Federal District for the heating season of 2021-2022.

The heating season has already begun in a number of regions, including the Northwestern Federal District. Nevertheless, preparations for the heating season are still ongoing, measures for repair and investment programs are being implemented, the Minister noted.

In terms of fuel supply, fuel reserves at thermal power plants significantly exceed the approved standards. “The volumes of gas in underground storage facilities of the Northwestern Federal District are at the level planned by November 1. This makes it possible to cover the daily seasonal unevenness of consumption, ”added Nikolay Shulginov.

“Preparations for the AWP are taking place against the backdrop of economic recovery, growth in electricity consumption, and today we see that in the Northwestern Federal District the growth in consumption is about 5.2%, in some regions it is much higher – within 7-8%. With regard to the baseline, we expect consumption growth at the level of 2.7% in the open-ended purchase price, ”the head of the Ministry of Energy said.

At the same time, a high accident rate remains in the power grid complex: in networks of 110 kV and above – the growth was 10% compared to last year, in networks below 110 kV – about 17%.

“This is due to the underfunding of investment programs and repair programs, primarily in the Arkhangelsk, Pskov, Novgorod and Murmansk regions. Separate reliability improvement programs need to be developed, and such programs have been developed. It is required to update them and search for funding sources, ”the Minister explained.

Nikolai Shulginov recalled Vladimir Putin’s instructions given by the President at a meeting with members of the Government. Vladimir Putin noted the need to consolidate territorial grid organizations that do not ensure the reliability of the power grid complex, and also outlined the importance of resolving the issue of ownerless power grids and increasing the level of payment discipline.

“We will definitely fulfill these instructions,” concluded the Minister.