OREANDA-NEWS. January 14, 2011. The governors of the Moscow Tver, Nizhni Novgorod and Smolensk regions reported at a meeting of the government presidium on the relief operation during the abnormal heat and wildfires last summer. Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and General Director of the IDGC Holding Nikolai Shvets put forward their proposals for improving the power grids’ efficiency. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spoke about progress in the restructuring of Russian Railways and proposed extending the reform to 2015.
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is the first meeting of the Government Presidium of 2011. I would like to once again wish everyone a happy New Year. We have a wide range of both economic and social challenges to address in 2011, so it’s important that we get down to work without delay.

I would like to start with two issues that have been at the centre of attention recently – restoring power supply in the central regions of the country and the rescue operation in the Sea of Okhotsk. Regarding power supply, we will certainly discuss the central regions today, but first I would like to draw the attention of the Energy Ministry, MRSK Holding, the country’s main power grid company, and the heads of Russia’s northwestern regions to the following: You have no doubt heard the weather forecast and you know there may be a cyclone in this region as well. We need to do our best to prepare for nature’s potential surprises.

As for power supply and repairing grids in the Central Region, let me remind you that about 4,400 communities, with more than 900,000 residents in total, have been without electricity since December 26 due to power lines icing over and trees falling due to snowfall. There are also a number of communities that suffer temporary blackouts. There are also some parts of grids and transformer substations that have been operating under a temporary scheme, and repairing and rebuilding the damaged parts will require a lot of work.

I have invited the governors of the Moscow Region, the Niznhy Novogorod Region, the Tver Region and the Smolensk Region to attend today’s meeting. Their regions suffered severe power outages. We were working on this problem on New Year’s Eve. I know that not everything depends on us, on the engineers, on the regional heads, but we nevertheless managed to organise the response to the problem. It’s now clear that we have mobilised a sufficient number of repair teams, using workers from other regions of Russia in this work –  I will say a few of words on this. What’s most important is that we made sure repair work was carried out consistently, and I would like to thank you for that.

We will also hear a report from the head of the Interregional Distribution Grid Company (MRSK). First, I would like to hear about MRSK’s specific proposals to make power systems more reliable. We obviously need a long-term programme to increase the reliability of power systems. This will be accomplished, first and foremost, by replacing grids and equipment and ensuring that the areas around power lines are cleared of hazardous trees and branches. It is very unfortunate that the Russian government needs to step in to once again address these problems. I hope we will solve the problem once and for all, especially since we have the necessary documents to accomplish this. We need to consider creating backup power sources for key infrastructure and for housing and utilities. Let’s start with this issue. Is the Minister of Energy present? Please, Mr Shmatko, let’s start with you.

Sergei Shmatko: Mr Putin, members of the Presidium! Allow me to report on the current status of emergency recovery operation underway in the power grid of Central Russia, and in particular  the Moscow Region, as well as on the conclusions we have drawn and the measures we have taken to prevent such situations in the future, even under abnormal conditions.

Mr Putin, you have already mentioned that the freezing rain that precipitated failures was a totally abnormal phenomenon, which has not occurred in our country for over 35 years. Over the course of the storm, the power transmission lines of the Moscow Joint Power Network Company were hit or damaged by 132,000 fallen trees. The result was the simultaneous disruption of 217 high-voltage lines and the disconnection of 134 high-voltage (220 kilovolt) feeder centres, as well as more than 10,000 transformer substations in the Moscow Region alone. Under such circumstances, we still managed to preserve stability in the power system, preventing the threat of a rolling blackout and other systemic failures. Not a single station was forced to stop supplying electricity.

Subsequent large-scale emergency rehabilitation efforts have involved 52,000 people and over 1,500 pieces of specialised machinery. We have employed power engineering teams from all over the country: from Central Russia, the Volga Region, the Northwest Federal District, Kuban, the Northern Caucasus and even  Krasnoyarsk. People worked round the clock. As early as January 1, as we initially reported, the effects of the freezing rain had been largely mitigated, albeit through  temporary measures. Regrettably, the weather did not give us anything to cheer about, and the trees kept falling; but our reinforced team of  engineers is capable of remedying any new technological damage within the shortest time possible. To date, as of 14:00, there are 176 people left who are still receiving their electricity from twelve diesel-powered generators. Currently, power engineers have to resort to power disconnections lasting several hours, as agreed with the Emergencies Ministry and the municipal authorities, in order to reintegrate consumers back from temporary and unreliable lines to the normal power supply. We plan to complete this work by the end of the month.  And this is the answer to the question you just asked, Mr Putin. This is the first time that Russian power engineers have faced such a broad scope of damage as a result of natural factors and mounted such a large-scale rehabilitation effort.

Now, as to the basic conclusions that we’ve drawn. First, I would like to point out a unique feature of the Moscow Region: all its forests are referred to as “first category.” This means that lifting restrictions on felling or thinning them and obtaining authorisations to follow through with the clean-up process is more complicated. This year, we have managed to take several steps forward toward a normal legal framework for the issue, and at present, we have set up a working team involving both the Ministry of Energy and the Forestry Agency. In fact, we have already started felling trees in the Shatura and Domodedovo Districts. By our estimate, we will need about six months to put things in order. That is, by the end of the following autumn-winter period, we expect to make decent progress. Essentially, we will be felling trees under and around high-voltage power transmission lines. On the other hand, according to a preliminary forecast, we will need about 750 million roubles for the project. We have already begun negotiations on the work with mechanised teams, amounting to about 250 subunits.

Second. Mr Putin, I have already reported that we faced some problems in relation with the local power companies, so the Ministry of Energy and the Moscow Region administration have established a working group. As you have said, Mr Putin, first of all, we will perform a full-scale checkup on local electricity supply networks jointly with the regions. Then we will toughen the requirements for the implementation of investment programmes and the maintenance of networks in working order. If private owners or, perhaps, municipal bodies prove unable to keep the power networks in working condition, we will resort to consolidation, which means, in essence, a transfer of property from their ownership to the operating management of our network distribution system. In fact, there is no other alternative.

There is one more long-term option: a transition to local energy systems in order to eliminate the need to stretch long-distance lines across local grids of more than five or six buildings. However, this is a more remote perspective.

Furthermore, Mr Putin, I would like to report that it was discovered that the requirements for bolstering power generation facilities in major transport hubs are absolutely insufficient. Above all, I am referring to what happened at Domodedovo airport. We are working actively enough on this issue with the Ministry of Transport, and we have made certain decisions already on categorising these flash points and adopting new standards amounting to a 30% increase on the current requirements per each million passengers.

Despite our fairly effective organisation and the sufficient supply of equipment in our network under normal operating conditions, we experienced a shortage of specialised equipment during this crisis. Our current shortfalls include telescopic mobile towers mounted on cross-country chassis and special hardware for the removal of tree debris. Mr Putin, all this equipment can be produced by Russian manufacturers. We have prepared a list of such  necessary additions. The Interregional Network Distribution Company jointly with the other entities concerned (primarily the Russian regions) will soon place a large order for such equipment with Russian enterprises.

Subsequently, this hardware must be stored under special conditions. It will hardly be needed in everyday work, but in terms of the ability to promptly react to such abnormal situations, we believe it should be at our disposal. Moreover, the funds required for such an endeavor are not so large. Maintaining contact with the consumer population during this period was important as well as problematic. The point is that, initially, the system of accepting mass repair applications was created in haste. Now we have coped with the situation, and I have checked the system’s operation myself. Currently, practically all applications are met in time. We scrupulously examine any applications involving complaints (for instance, if someone refuses to perform  a service or those applications allegedly related to extortion): all cases are duly documented and investigated. Furthermore, I have issued a directive to set up a permanent advanced service for consumer claims,  including those made in the wake of extreme conditions.

Mr Putin, I would like to report that despite abnormal past or present conditions, we have decided that simulated testing in the event of such occurrences should become part of our routine winter preparation procedures. This means that such scenarios will be included in the preparations for each winter. It means that we will conduct the relevant training, establish the requisite standards of diesel-powered generators and maintain special equipment reserves. This will require certain financing. If the decisions on network tariffs do not allow for it, we will turn to the Government of the Russian Federation for help. I want to assure you that we expect to live through the next winter in a more or less normal manner: we will be guaranteed against such a – I won't say slow, but prolonged – implementation of large-scale operations, which this year we in fact completed with success. Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Good. Let us turn to the situation in the regions. Mr Gromov (Boris Gromov, Governor of the Moscow Region), please. The Moscow Region.

Boris Gromov: Mr Putin, by and large, I agree with the minister; we discussed all these matters together and worked in the Moscow Region together for the duration of the process. I only want to emphasise that, despite widespread damage and destruction, we prevented disconnections and failures in the utilities infrastructure of the entire region. These operations progressed smoothly because we had purchased sufficient emergency power sources ahead of time.

I would like to add something more, if I may. It concerns a topic we have also discussed. Mr Shmatko did not mention it, though I am sure he is abreast of the situation. I think that we should establish a unified monitoring service for the entire Moscow Region and, possibly, for other regions as well. There are many different power grids, and I don’t think we should wait for them to pass from hand to hand, if at all – we need such a service now.

And again: the laws on emergency relief were passed in 1994, but now I believe that we should extend the rights of emergency commissions in the regions – particularly for the acquisition of equipment, workforce, premises and so forth. It all amounts to a long list we have compiled from the experiences of summer wildfires and, most recently, freezing rain. This crisis was not as bad as the fires. After all, when we fought the fires last summer, many authorities flatly refused to assign us equipment and workers. I think a new set of rules would make administrators at all levels more responsible to emergency measures. This is all that I wanted to conclude.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you. I have asked the Ministry of Energy and the Emergencies Ministry to analyse the proposals of Moscow Region Governor Boris Gromov and report their own proposals to me. Mr Shantsev has the floor.

Valery Shantsev: Mr Putin, ladies and gentlemen,

As in the Moscow Region, we mobilised our resources together with emergency workers rapidly enough to ensure the stable performance of social projects, infrastructure and utilities. It was difficult to cope with power failures. All our villages and homes are on the grid now. I would only like that we draw due conclusions from this experience. I, for my part, see quite well that if the situation repeats itself, we will face the same challenges merely because the greatest problems began when high voltage transmission lines failed – I'm referring to 100, 35, 10 and 6 kilowatt lines. Over great distances, we could not even see all at once what had happened and why the lines were failing.

So, first of all, we should purchase equipment. Someone mentioned it here. But, moreover, we need the latest high-speed snowploughs simply to reconnoitre and reach emergency sites over 20-45 km distances that heavy vehicles traverse too slowly. Purchases have started, but we are currently buying Russian-made Buran ploughs, which cannot cope with the deep snow we have been facing.

Second, villages differ. There are villages with only two people in them, and there are some where 15, 20, 100 or even 1,000 people live. Long transmission lines, which require the greatest effort, are often expended on reaching the smallest villages. So we need proportionate power generators that are able to supply 5, 10, 30, 60, 100 or 250 kilowatts, depending on the size of the village. Villages should first be connected to such generators, so as to repair transmission lines that do not require an emergency schedule. In that case, engineers will have all the time they need.

Finally, engineers have begun to equip all village grids with steel insulated wires, which are quite safe. One cannot be injured even when such a wire tears. True, they are rather expensive: a kilometre of such wire costs 150,000 – 200,000 roubles, compared with 50,000 – 70,000 roubles for a similar length of conventional naked wire. However, insulated wires are far more reliable. A village with such wiring will be guarded against any wind and or other conventional breakage. So we’ll have no problems – we just tap the village into a generator and repair the line in an orderly manner.

There is one more problem with the transmission lines. To be honest, I am not sure that our regulations address every problem related to lines that are laid through forested areas. Different regulations follow different standards. Some require a 4 metre distance from the outermost wire to the top of the nearest tree, while others require 15 metres. Experience has shown that the distance should equal the average tree height lest a fallen tree hit the line. We should document that common observation and simplify the issue of felling licenses – and do it immediately. Mr Putin, otherwise we will need five years to cut the necessary paths for power infrastructure.

I took a helicopter to tour over all affected localities and saw virtually no forest clearings. Transmission lines run through dense woods – the clearings are overgrown. We must take the matter very seriously.

The equipment situation is similar. Mr Shmatko was right – we don't have the equipment we need. Take our crawler tractor factory. It manufactures Elk tracked- vehicles for hunters. They can be modified for repair works. Elks have broad tracks of 1.4 to 1.7 metres, and so can be adapted to carry a telescopic tower. They can travel across rough terrain at good speed. Each vehicle seats 19 people and can carry all necessary tools for carrying out repair work at heights. We are ready to take on Elk production orders.

I also think we should probably look at the number and proficiency of transmission line service operators. Personnel efficiency has decreased since we started cutting costs and simplifying everything. It would also be good to carry out some stock-taking.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you. Smolensk Region Governor Sergei Antufyev, please go ahead.

Sergei Antufyev: Mr Putin, Presidium members,

We have the situation under control in our region but the bad weather means we cannot just rest on our laurels, which is why the emergency HQ is staying up and running as before. Especially since, as you said, the cyclone moving in from the northwest, is expected to hit the Pskov Region soon. That borders on the Smolensk Region. So the western part of our region is ready for possible power outages.

I ordered to our electrical power engineers to complete their work on the transfer from an intermittent to a permanent energy supply by January 25. The regional administration will meet that day to endorse a programme for the reclamation of these electricity grid buffer zones, that my colleagues have just now mentioned.

Falling trees were to blame in most cases for damage to transmission lines. So we must reclaim these buffer zones and forest clearings, however much time and money it might take. We think we will manage to get the job done by 2015 especially since it does not require any budget resources. We can assign tree felling to businesses, or we can sell the resulting timber to the population as firewood. Thus, the outlay will be commensurate to the task set of restoring these buffer zones. You were quite right to say that ensuring there reserve energy sources is the specific task that confronts us today. In 2008, we adopted a regional targeted programme to ease the aftermath of any possible emergency situations that might arise. We have purchased seven portable electric diesel generators and two heat generators as standby devices for boilers in these past two years. This year we plan to buy nine more diesel generators and four heat generators. The regional budget earmarks 80 million roubles for off-roaders. The lack of them is one key problem we currently face – repairmen cannot access damaged transmission lines.

Last but not least, I should like to draw our electrical power engineers' attention to another problem. We must assess the condition of the pylons. There have been cases where reinforced concrete pylons have folded under the weight of iced wires – we had up to 5 cm of ice. These pylons could withstand a vertical load but perhaps because they are 40 or 50 years old, there was no flexibility in them, they couldn't bend. That is why 240 pylons collapsed in our region. So we can see that we ought to be ready for all emergencies, and the weather forecasts are alarming. Mr Putin, our emergency headquarters are up and running and we will repair damaged transmission lines as quickly as possible wherever necessary. All our towns and villages have electricity now.

Vladimir Putin: Good. Tver Region Governor Dmitry Zelenin, please, go ahead.

Dmitry Zelenin: Mr Putin, Presidium members,

The Tver Region was affected by extremely bad weather, and there were several instances of disruption to the electricity supply. The first significant such occurrence took place on November 26. Repairs lasted into January.