Power workers involve the forces of the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergency Management and Natural Disasters Response (EMERCOM of Russia) and the workers of the Housing Maintenance and Utilities Board for performance of these exercises.

Under the plan of  preparation of North-West network complex for winter, the personnel of  IDGC of North-West subsidiaries undergoes special exercises and develops skills of interaction with all grid industry entities during joint training together with EMERCOM of Russia forces and the employees of the Housing Maintenance and Utilities Board,  contract organizations and the authorities.

Performance of the exercises and special preparation of mobile forces and means is an obligatory condition for reception by the network company of the Certificate of Preparation for the 2008-2009 autumn and winter peak demand.

Head of IDGC of North-West Department of Emergencies Prevention and Liquidation Vladimir Mironenko informed that, from the beginning of the year, 160 joint exercises took place on the territory of the North-West Federal District: in the Republic of Karelia, the Komi Republic and the Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Murmansk, Novgorod and Pskov Regions.  

The greatest number of joint exercises - 52 exercises - were carried out in Novgorodenergo; about 30 exercises, in Vologdaenergo and Komienergo. Under the plan of preparation for winter, the exercises of the operative repair and dispatching personnel take place under the special schedule in the company's subsidiaries. From the beginning of the year, around 300 exercises took place in the subsidiaries. In Novgorodenergo their number was 112.

According to Novgorodenergo First Deputy General Director Igor Yakimov, the hurricane Cyril, that in the winter of 2007 inflicted great damage to the network economy, made the company's management to change radically their approach to the preparation of mobile forces and means in case of emergency.

As of 1 October, IDGC of North-West formed 85 mobile teams, the number of its members being over 500 people.  They have 215 technical units including 97 automobile units, 30 tractor units, 48 load-lifting units and 40 special technical units. The most powerful rapid reaction forces were generated, equipped and trained in Pskovenergo: 18 teams with a number of 106 people and Arkhenergo - 17 teams (123 people).   

IDGC of North-West disposes 68 own mobile and stationary sources of electric power supply (RISE) with a capacity from 10kWt to 400kWt. Komienergo, for example, has 12 stationary and 11 mobile diesel generating sets; Novgorodenergo, 20 reserve sources of electric power supply. In other IDGC of North-West subsidiaries from three to nine diesel generating sets are completely prepared for work; in case of emergency, the diesel generating sets will provide electric power supply of major consumers and life support facilities during repair-and-renewal operations.

According to IDGC of North-West Department of Emergencies Prevention and Liquidation, out of 2,071 diesel generating sets available for consumers, over 1,700 sets are ready for operation in case of emergency shut-downs.

The next large-scale joint exercises with attraction of rapid reaction forces of Pskovenergo, Novgorodenergo, EMERCOM of Russia, HMUB employees and contract organizations will take place on 8-9 October in Porkhovsky district (Pskov Region). A helicopter will be used at the exercises for air inspection of electricity transmission lines and of the test emergency shut-down district.

A group of IDGC of North-West specialists headed by Deputy General Director for Services Development and Sale Alexander Mikhalkov has set off for the area for inspection of the exercises.