IDGC of Volga, PJSC has obtained the certificate of preparedness for operations during the 2015-2016 autumn-winter period. This document confirms that all planned winterization activities have been completed in a timely and efficient manner. Implemented activities will ensure improved reliability of power supply for consumers during peak loads on electrical networks under extreme weather conditions. Operational preparedness of IDGC of Volga, PJSC was audited by a commission set by the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. The commission was comprised of representatives of Minenergo of Russia, Rostekhnadzor, Rosseti, PJSC, Technical Inspectorate of UES, CJSC, Interregional Dispatching Office of the Middle Volga Region, a branch of SO UES, JSC, Main Directorate of Emercom of Russia for the Saratov region, and Ministry of Industry and Energy for the Saratov region. The commission inspected the condition of power facilities. Other activities included an emergency response training for a dispatcher of the On-Line Service Center of IDGC of Volga, PJSC and a dispatcher of CGC of Saratov Distribution Grids, a branch of IDGC of Volga, PJSC, to drill actions in case of emergency outage of 110 kV Tsentralnaya – Pugachevskaya I OHL, with branch lines (110 kV Pugachevskaya-1 OHL) under severe icing conditions. A positive assessment was given to operational preparedness of line and on-site response crews, availability of protective devices, tools, equipment, communication facilities, motor vehicles and special-purpose machinery, and emergency reserve of material and technical resources. Besides, the commission inspected availability of de-icing schemes and implementation of the repair and maintenance program for 2015. As part of winterization activities, specialists of the branch took part in joint training exercises, together with administrative authorities of the RF entities and the Emercom of Russia, in order to drill coordinated actions in responding to accidents and disasters that might result in loss of power supply. Additionally, a series of emergency preparedness drills was held in order to train the staff in proper operational procedures under low temperature conditions. The branch formed 62 mobile teams (a total of 473 team members) well equipped with everything required for accident recovery operations, including tools, personal and collective protective equipment, protective clothing, and 212 units of motor vehicles and special-purpose machinery. 439 battery backups/UPS units with installed capacity of over 10 MW are continuously available. The branch is capable to act in concert with the RF Emercom, territorial RosHydroMet offices and government authorities, and has a number of agreements with contractors on attracting resources for response and restoration activities. The commission confirmed provision of basic and additional prerequisites for operations during the autumn and winter season as defined by the Regulation for inspecting preparedness of power industry entities to operations during autumn-winter period, and signed the Inspection Report without any material qualifications and reservations. In accordance with the findings of the commission, IDGC of Volga, PJSC obtained the Certificate of preparedness for operations during the 2015-2016 autumn-winter period. “This Certificate is a result of strenuous efforts of all employees of IDGC of Volga, PJSC. Ensuring your facilities and equipment are winterized properly and in a timely manner is a prerequisite for reliable power supply for consumers in the regions of the Company's presence,” commented Vladimir Ryabikin, General Director of IDGC of Volga, PJSC.