Moscow. 20 January 2006. The Chairman of the Management Board of RAO "UES of Russia" Anatoly Chubais held another meeting of the Emergency Management Center* to coordinate the actions taken in the Moscow Energy System during the period of extreme cold.

As noted at the meeting, on 19 January the Moscow Energy System saw the highest-ever peak load of 15,985 MW in its history. At the same time, the energy system worked stable throughout the evening (19 January) and morning (20 January) peaks of energy consumption, without power outages. The temperature of water in the district heating networks corresponded to the weather conditions.

During the evening peak load of 20 January, a similar level of electricity consumption is expected in the Moscow Energy System. According to dispatchers' estimates, electricity use may reach 16,100 MW, despite the fact that, under usual conditions, energy consumption on Friday nights is lower compared to other weekdays. In this connection, the energy saving mode will remain in effect in the Moscow Region from 08:00 until 22:30 hours.

According to preliminary dispatching schedules, the reductions in deliveries of electricity to industrial consumers in Moscow and the surrounding area will total about 470 MW. Yesterday evening, the actual power cuts amounted to 440 MW against the forecast level of 530 MW. The supply reduction schedules had been agreed in advance with consumers, and the Governments of Moscow and the Moscow Region.

The Emergency Management Center also discussed the forecast level of energy consumption during the coming weekend. Tomorrow, 21 January, the morning peak load is expected to be 15,200 MW, while the evening peak load will be 15,500 MW. Accordingly, the energy companies do not plan any reductions in electricity deliveries on Saturday morning, but do not rule out power cuts during the evening hours. A decision regarding power supply restrictions on Sunday, 22 January, will be taken tomorrow upon analysis of the Saturday energy consumption results.

The deliveries of power to consumers will be reduced to the lowest possible level of consumption required for a consumer to safely complete a technological process, with advance notice given to each such consumer. These coercive measures, taken pursuant to Resolution of the Russian Government** No. 664 of 1999, are designed to prevent failures in the operation of energy facilities. The temporary restrictions of power supply to industrial consumers are necessary to ensure stable power supply to households, medical institutions, the city's vital infrastructure, and buildings of state authorities and security agencies.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Center for coordination of actions in the Moscow energy system during the extremely cold period will work as before.

___________________________________________

* The meeting was attended by top managers of the Moscow Generation Company, Moscow City Grid Company and Moscow Region Grid Company, heads of the Moscow Region's energy dispatching units, as well as key officers of the RAO UESR administrative staff, Head of the Moscow Municipal Services Directorate and First Deputy Mayor of Moscow Pyotr Aksyonov, and Minister of Utilities, Fuel and Energy of the Moscow Region Government Viktor Beshkarev, and Head of the Main Directorate of Russia's Ministry of Emergencies for the city of Moscow Aleksandr Yeliseyev.