Moscow, 12 February. RAO "UES of Russia" and OAO "Federal Grid Company of Unified Energy System" (FGC) are to develop a Standard for the disclosure of information on consumers' connection requests, results of their review, and the timeframe for connection to the power grids.

The Standard is designed to increase transparency of activities of the RAO UES grid companies relating to consumer connection, and enable consumers to oversee the connection process undertaken by the energy companies.

The Standard will impose an obligation on distribution companies to fully inform their customers on the terms of grid connection, i.e. the connection procedure and charges, the process for submission and consideration of connection requests, and the period within which the connection request must be satisfied. Also, customers will be supplied with the necessary standard forms and instruction for their completion.

The grid companies' websites will contain all necessary information about the connection process.

It is expected that the Standard will be ready in March 2008. After it is approved by the Management Board of RAO "UES of Russia", the Standard will become mandatory for all grid companies of RAO "UES of Russia".

In addition, RAO UES plans to initiate amendment of Russian laws and regulations which will improve the transparency of connection process and ensure that customers have non-discriminatory access to the infrastructure of all of Russia's power grid companies.