Moscow. 31 January 2007. RAO "UES of Russia" has in place a comprehensive programme designed to ensure reliable power in the Sochi energy area. This programme is being implemented in line with the Russian Government's programme seeking to develop Sochi as a mountain climate resort.

The first step in implementing these Programmes was made in 2004, when the first 78 MW unit was constructed at the Sochinskaya TPP. It is planned to increase the plant's capacity by several times, build a new 200 MW combined-cycle plant, Adlerskaya CHPP, and a chain of hydroelectric plants on the Mzymta river with the total capacity of 150 MW.

The Programme provides for the development of the grid facilities in the Sochi energy node, including the construction of a 220 kV "Psou-Poselkovaya" HV line leading to the new Poselkovaya substation, and a number of 110 kV transformer substations, – "Roza Khutor", "Laura", and "Grushevaya Polyana". This will help ensure reliable power supply in the Krasnaya Polyana recreation zone.

In addition, in order to develop the grid links with the Kuban energy system, it is planned to construct a 50 kV substation (Chernomorskaya Substation) and connect it to the 500 kV line to the Tsentralnaya substation, as well as a 220 kV HV line. The construction of a cable and overhead transmission line "Tsentralnaya–Gorny Klyuch –Lzhubga–Psou" bypassing the mountains will help reduce the system's vulnerability to natural disasters.

Besides the new construction, it is planned to implement a large-scale modernization and expansion programme at the existing substations, including the 220kV Dzhubga, Psou, and Dagomys substations.

Most measures provided for in the two programmes will have been completed by 2011. and will ensure reliable operation of Sochi energy facilities, making it less dependent on weather conditions.