Moscow, 13 July 2004. The repairs campaign at RAO UES enterprises is being implemented largely according to the plan. As at 1 July 2004, repairs have been completed at turbines with the overall capacity of 9,977 MW, power bowlers with the steam capacity of 50,900 t/h, water boilers with the general capacity of 3,477 Gcal/h. 235.13 km of heating networks have been replaced.

According to the RAO UES repair and maintenance program for power plants and heating networks, in 2004 it is planned to repair turbines with the capacity of 36,000 MW, power bowlers with the steam capacity of 154,700 t/h, water boilers with the capacity of 8,463 Gcal/h, and replace 604 km of heating networks.

By the end of 2004, RAO "UES of Russia" will allocate RUB47.9 billion in funds for these purposes, up RUB1.6 billion on last year. Such an increase in energy repair expenses is due to the growth of prices of materials and supplies, increased depreciation of equipment at some energy facilities, and accordingly, a larger-than-usual amount of repairs.

The situation in some regional energos causes serious concern. The shortage of funds due to non-payments by electricity and heat consumers makes it difficult for energy companies to pay for the repair supplies, works and services provided by external suppliers.

This, it its turn, results in the repairs lagging behind the schedule. For instance, OAO "Saratovenergo", OAO "Bashkirenergo", and OAO "Sverdlovenergo" have done only 85% of the repairs scheduled for the first half of the year. RAO "UES of Russia" emphasize that the difficulties in funding the repairs at the Holding Company's entities may have an adverse effect on the electricity and heat supply to consumers during the 2004/2005 autumn-winter peak load.