Prime Minister Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting on supplying fuel to electrical power facilities
Vladimir Putin's opening address:
Good afternoon, colleagues,
Today we are going to discuss the power industry's readiness for the winter season. First of all, I would like to focus on accumulating reserves necessary for power generation stable performance.
This task was addressed promptly, without delays or failures in recent years. We should work the same way this year, too.
This question was brought up at a meeting on reforming the Russian power industry in June - and I should reiterate that the transitional period of the final phase of RAO UES reorganisation must not cause interruptions in power supplies. Neither people nor the economy should suffer.
Now the Energy Ministry is responsible for coordinating all relevant issues. In addition, the Government has set up the Federal Staff for Energy Supply. Similar bodies have been set up in the Russian regions.
3.2 billion roubles was allocated to the regions that lacked funds to buy fuel oil. These are the Astrakhan Region, the Murmansk Region, the Kamchatka Territory, and the Primorye Territory.
The majority of territorial power grids have undertaken the necessary measures to prepare for the winter season. Coal reserves already exceed the required quota by 20%, and fuel oil reserves, by 35%.
You may remember that in September and August we experienced difficulties because of a lack of trains to transport fuel. I asked for full reports on the measures taken to improve the situation, and on the current state of affairs.
To avoid such problems in the future, I would like you to continuously monitor the situation. The Energy Ministry and Russian Railways, all agencies, companies and ministries must work out clear monthly schedules of fuel supplies to electrical power stations.
Also, the Energy Ministry regards it as sound to lay down extra legal guarantees of stable and reliable electrical power and heat supply, and to increase the responsibility of those in charge of complying with the supply schedule and timely repair of electricity networks.
Let's take a closer look at these matters and other related issues.
