Another round of power tenders took place at FOREM on March 1. At the tenders MOSENERGO sold 200 million kWh of power scheduled to be delivered in March, including 100 million kWh of the planned output and 100 million kWh above planned levels at .251 and .243 rubles for 1 kWh respectively. Chelyabenergo JSC purchased the power produced within the pre-planned limits and Lenenergo JSC bought power, produced above-plan. All in all, this year the Moscow Energy Company has sold more than 600 million kWh of power through tenders, including 100 million of above-planned amounts to be delivered in the first quarter of 2001.

At this round of tenders there were two more sellers besides MOSENERGO and 10 companies posted purchasing bids. For the most part the power from the pre-planned production amount was posted for sale. The demand for power was substantially higher than supply. For example, Orenburgenergo JSC sold 255 million kWh in two lots at .219 and .2212 rubles for 1 kWh while the starting price was .1572 rubles for a kWh. Tyumenenergo JSC sold 350 million kWh of the planned-for-production power at .255 rubles for 1 kWh-starting price .1758 rubles for 1 kWh.

One of the new features of this round was that for the first time representatives of power consumers who are FOREM entities were invited to the tenders. Also, for the first time since the start of the year energy companies, bidding for power, have shown demand for purchasing MOSENERGO above-plan power. However, as was the case earlier, the bidders have demonstrated major interest in purchasing power produced within the pre-planned limits.

According to preliminary data, the next FOREM power tenders will take place at the end of March for power to be delivered in April.