ROSSETI's First Deputy General Director for Technical Policy Roman Berdnikov made an official visit to the Yaroslavl Oblast. Together with the region's Governor Sergey Yastrebov, he discussed preparing the Yaroslavl Oblast for winter, consolidating assets within the electricity network as well as innovative power engineering projects being implemented in the region.

The discussion included Deputy Governor Natalia Shaposhnikova, Director of the Department for Power Engineering and Price Regulation Olga Ven, acting Yaroslavl Mayor Aleksand Nechayev, Chief Engineer at the Central Interregional Distribution Grid Company Aleksandr Pilyugin, acting Director of the YarEnergo branch Konstantin Kotikov as well as directors from various subsections of the power grid organisation.

Energy workers presented reports to the governor on the current progress of preparing the electricity sector for the upcoming fall-winter season. Roman Berdnikov thanked the governor for the attention that the Yaroslavl Oblast government is devoting to the development of the region's energy sector, noting, in turn, that the energy workers are also undertaking serious measures to improve the reliability of the power supply, they are developing a host of innovative projects in the oblast and attracting additional sources of funding.

"We have particularly undertaken a number of administrative measures inside the YarEnergo branch which will allow us to quickly remedy any technical violations. We have also changed our methodology for disaster recovery operations and our approach to formulating our investment program. As of today, the preparations for maximum winter-time loads are progressing in accordance with an intensified work plan. This includes increasing the work to enlarge power line corridors while the emergency reserves will be expanded with all-terrain vehicles," Berdnikov stated.

Consolidating assets within the power grid is also directly related to the reliability and the quality of the power supply. "Many of the country's networks currently belong to the local grid companies, which directly influences their reliability. ROSSETI has positive experience in the Yaroslavl Oblast with consolidating practically 100% of the territorial networks (excluding private networks)," noted Roman Berdnikov. During their meeting with the governor, the energy workers discussed further consolidation strategies and examined the terms for leasing or buying in a number of specific cases.

The region's authorities and power grid company management discussed projects that will create new-generation power engineering in the Yaroslavl Oblast. This includes improving the reliability and quality of the power supply in the Pereslasky District by upgrading 10-0.4 kV equipment, installing reclosers and implementing smart systems for recording and processing technical information. The next project will involve converting the 0.4kV line to a direct current without re-building the network. This will increase the quality and the reliability of the power supply, help avoid voltage variations, will lower technical losses and prevent attempts to steal electricity.

In the near future, Russia's first electric transport will appear in Yaroslavl. Another topic up for discussion during the meeting was creating an electric transport charging infrastructure throughout the city with the prospects of launching a no-contact public electric transport network in the city. Another important issue was developing smart grids and installing smart meters. This project would include upgrading all meters across ten of the region's districts.

Apart from innovative projects, discussions touched upon the work conducted by employees pertaining to the company's main focus areas. This includes improving power system stability mechanisms during mass technical outages and allocating subsidies to enlarge power line corridors. Another topic was the efforts undertaken by the Yaroslavl branch to increase the accessibility of the energy infrastructure, particularly the draft amendments to the law on urban planning that was signed by the governor at the end of July. These amendments expand the list of facilities whose construction does not necessitate mandatory approval. This list presently includes 10-0.4kV cable and overhead lines, which significantly simplifies connecting to the YarEnergo networks and decreases the time needed to execute technological connection agreements.

Parties at the meeting signed several documents regulating joint operations on a number of promising work opportunities. The first agreement relates to cooperation to develop the charging infrastructure for electric transport. The second pertains to providing economic stimulus for energy saving and improving energy efficiency.

"Power engineering is the key aspect for developing the region's sector, and partnering with the largest company in this area is very important for the Yaroslavl Oblast. Firstly this guarantees a reliable and quality power supply for the consumers in all cities and during all weather conditions. Secondly, this means prestige for the region as innovative power engineering projects make Yaroslavl Oblast more appealing both from the standpoint of incoming investment and for its social climate," noted Deputy Governor of Yaroslavl Oblast Natalia Shaposhnikova.