Pavel Livinskiy, Director General of Rosseti, reported to Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, and Vladimir Yakushev, Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation, about 100% readiness of the electric grid complex for the upcoming heating season and load peak at the International Forum Russian Energy Week - 2019 during the All-Russian meeting on the progress of preparation of electric power industry facilities for the autumn-winter period 2019/2020.

The Head of the electricity grid holding noted that funding of the maintenance and repair program in 2019 was increased by 2.6 billion RUB compared to the previous year, the number of transformers and overhead lines under repair increased by 4% and 3% respectively. 

“I am sure that due to done preparation works for the upcoming autumn-winter period, the positive dynamics of production indicators achieved this year will continue during load peaks,” said Pavel Livinskiy.

The Head of the holding started the subject of the 89% increase of technological violations in the networks of local grid operators for the period from 2014 to 2019. Since the presence of several electric grid companies in one region leads to their competition not for the reliability and quality of the services provided to the consumer, but for the monetary share, he proposed to improve the regulatory framework.

“Taking into account the above-mentioned problems and the risks posed by them, Rosseti proposes to amend the current legislation to prevent new companies get the status of local grid operators, to transfer new electric grid property only to network companies responsible for ensuring the system reliability of the electric grid complex in the regions of their presence and companies with state participation in view of the socially responsible nature of the business, and to develop the mechanism of consolidation of power grid assets on the basis of systemic companies with state regulation of tariffs in the electricity industry, including costs on acquisition of power supply facilities," expressed its position holding the Head of the holding.

Continuing the subject of the existing obstacles to the stable development of the electric grid complex, Pavel Livinskiy gave a set of proposals addressing the situation with Rosseti overdue accounts receivable of 185 billion RUB, over 60% of which account for guaranteeing suppliers, and almost 40% – for direct consumers. He also made a number of proposals for legislative amendments in order to correct this situation.

In conclusion, the Head of Rosseti drew the attention to the difficulties faced during the operation and emergency recovery works, if necessary, at power facilities located at specially protected natural reservations (SPNR), and, therefore, the required changes to Article 45 of the Forest Code of the Russian Federation.

Alexander Novak instructed the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation to work out all presented legislative initiatives as soon as possible.