Moscow, 17 February 2004. The strong gusty wind damaged the 500 kV transmission lines "Rubtsovsk – Ust-Kamenorogrsk", "Barnaulskaya – Novokuznetskaya", "Novokuznetskaya – Belovskaya TPP", and both lines of "Novokuznetskaya – Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP".

Thanks to efficient work of Regional Dispatch Administrations (RDAs), the Integrated Dispatch Administration of Siberia (Siberia IDA), and OAO "UES SO-CDA", power has been promptly restored to most inhabited localities, Novokuznetsk Aluminum Plant, railroad enterprises and other consumers in South Siberia via back-up transmission lines.

Crews of OAO "Kuzbasenergo", OAO "Altayenergo", OAO "Khakasenergo", and the enterprises of "Intersystem Power Grids of Siberia" (IPG of Siberia) are continuing to repair the power transmission lines of different voltages.

The restoration work is complicated by adverse weather conditions. The gusty wind persists, which may cause more damage to the transmission lines. According to meteorologists, the hurricane is moving towards Krasnoyarsk Kray, which may down transmission lines in the area.

RAO UES enterprises are doing their best to ensure power supply to customers in South Siberia affected by the bad weather.