Moscow, 2 February 2006. The energy conservation measures will remain in effect for some industrial consumers in Moscow and the surrounding region during the evening peak load tomorrow, 3 February. These measures are necessary to prevent power outages in the Moscow Energy System as electricity consumption keeps growing in extremely cold weather.

The energy conservation mode will be in effect from 5 pm until 8 pm tomorrow. However, the reductions in electricity deliveries to industrial consumers will not exceed 297 MW, the same as today's evening peak load. The supply reduction schedules have been agreed with the Governments of Moscow and the Moscow Region, and the members of the Emergency Management Center to coordinate of actions in the Moscow energy system during the cold period.

The temporary restrictions of power supply to industrial facilities during energy consumption peaks are necessary to ensure stable power supply to households, medical institutions, the capital city and region's vital infrastructure, and buildings of state authorities, security agencies, and military units.

According to forecasts, OAO "Mosenergosbyt", Mosenergo's retail subsidiary, has no plans to cut power to consumers on Saturday, 4 February.

All power plants, grid and dispatching facilities in the Moscow Energy System continue to operate in an "enhanced" mode.

The Emergency Management Center to coordinate actions taken in the Moscow Energy System during the period of extreme cold will continue to work in an information exchange mode.

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*The deliveries of power to industrial 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 measures were taken pursuant to Resolution of the Russian Government No. 664 of 1999 and are designed to provide a reliability margin in the energy system required to prevent any possible local problems from cascading into a massive blackout.

During the first cold spell from 16 January to 25 January, the timely and efficient response by the energy companies' staff, as well as the energy conservation measures for industrial facilities, helped maintain stable operation of the entire Moscow Energy System.