RAO UES of Russia's power companies intend to raise investment in distribution grids to around 22 billion roubles in 2006 versus 18 billion roubles in 2005, the holding company's Media Relations Department head Magrarita Nagoga told Interfax.
The issue concerns some 40 power companies that have already completed the process of division into lines of business as part of the power industry reform and are now controlled by the Federal Grid Company (FGC), she added.
Before the split, OJSC Lenenergo invested over 800 million roubles in distribution grids in 2005, and investment is going to exceed 1 billion roubles by the end of the year, Ms Nagoga said. Besides, St Petersburg and FGC have signed an investment agreement providing for Lenenergo to invest around 2.2 billion roubles in distribution grids in 2006 and for FGC to invest 2.8 billion roubles in high-voltage power lines which the city will supplement with another 1.6 billion roubles, she reminded.
In her comment on the issue of additional sources of investment in development of power grids, Ms Nagoga noted that payment for technological connection to the grids could become one of the sources. "RAO has always invested in grid development, but the source has chiefly been power sales revenues. Introduction of connection payment will make it possible to enhance the potential of new construction and there will be a substantial source of investment in grids," Ms Nagoga emphasised. |
