One of the main themes of the "RuGrids-Electro" forum organized by Rosseti is the expansion of cooperation between Russia and China in the development of the Smart Grid. Discussion on this topic took place at the round table "The possibilities of technological and investment cooperation between Russia and China in the area of electric power".

The only obstacle for Chinese companies is certification. Russian requirements for climate proofing are high, but the equipment is made taking these requirements into consideration, say Chinese businessmen.

According to experts, the development of the electric power industry and power engineering in China has reached a level where the quality characteristics of the equipment comply with the tough requirements of the Russian electric power sector. “If in the 90s and early 2000s, Russian companies in this industry actively cooperated with western manufacturers, today we are opening a "new, eastern chapter in the history" of the sector,” says Andrey Zenzin, member of the Public Council of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation.

"The Economic interest of both parties is an added incentive to cooperate," said the expert.

This summer, Rosseti and the State Grid Corporation of China, worked out two joint projects in great detail. The first involves a comprehensive upgrade of electrical networks in Chita in 2015-2020. According to preliminary calculations, its implementation will reduce energy losses from 20% to 4%, and significantly reduce accidents - by 36%. The payback period is estimated at approximately 10 years, the initial source of return on investment would be a reduction in operating costs.

Another project will be implemented in the 2017-2020 period in the Trans-Baikal region. Its goal is the creation of electric grid infrastructure for the electric power supply of new mining sites.

Now, the parties are waiting for the test results of the Chinese equipment. The main issue is resistance to low temperatures. Ding Xiao-lin, vice president of the Chinese manufacturer XD, believes that Russia's requirements for reliability and climate proofing of equipment are higher than in his country.

David Cheng, Regional Director of the Chinese company NR Electric for Russia and CIS, is confident that his company's products will soon successfully pass the certification procedure, as during production, Russian climatic criteria were taken into account. If the first joint effort proves to be beneficial, then David Cheng does not exclude the possibility of opening manufacturing facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Recall that earlier this week CEO of Rosseti, Oleg Budargin, and Deputy Director General of State Grid Corporation of China, Du Zhigang, in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Premier of the People's Republic of China and Party Secretary of the State Council Li Keqiang signed a cooperation agreement on the reconstruction of electric grid infrastructure and new construction. This three-year agreement was the next step in the development of the partnership between the two largest electric companies in the framework of the strategic cooperation between Russia and China, which began in May this year.