OREANDA-NEWS. April 29, 2011. RusHydro Group announces 1 Quarter 2011 operating results. The total generation for the period increased by 13.6% and amounted to 16,855 GWh. Net output increased 13.8% to 16,459 GWh.

The major factor that led to production growth was restoration of four out of ten hydro-units of Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP. Optimization of maintenance works at the power plant in autumn and winter months of 2010-2011 enabled the company to additionally generate 389 GWh. The total generation in Siberia in 1Q 2011 was up 285% to 5,195 GWh.

In 2011, Siberia enjoyed favorable hydrological conditions. In 1Q 2011, water inflow to reservoirs of Novosibirskaya HPP was at normal levels, the water inflow to Sayano-Shushensk reservoir was 25% higher than average multiyear inflow.

The water inflow to most hydroelectric plants of Far East in 1Q 2011 was up 10-20% compared to average multiyear figures. In order to increase the free capacity of reservoirs of Zeyskaya and Bureyskaya HPPs at the beginning of spring freshet, RusHydro in cooperation with Russian Water resources regulator and System Operator secured a higher load of these hydropower plants. Free capacity is necessary to mitigate the risks of water spills. Thanks to partial redistribution of load from thermal generation to Zeyskaya and Bureyskaya HPPs the total over-the-balance generation of hydroelectric plants of Far East in 1Q 2011 amounted to 478 GWh. Overall, generation of RusHydro Group in the Far East in 1Q 2011 decreased compared to 1Q 2010 by 9% to 3,352 GWh. The decrease is associated with higher reservoir levels in 1Q 2010.

In European part of Russia, the unprecedented heat wave and lower water inflow in 3-4 quarters 2010 resulted in 23% decrease of water reserves in reservoirs at the beginning of 1Q 2011 compared to average levels. The water inflow in January-March was lower than that in the last  years, but was 5% higher than average multiyear indicators. Thanks to favorable hydrological situation in 1Q 2011, the power plants of RusHydro, situated in central parts of European part of Russia, generated 7,267 GWh, that was only 11% less than last year.

The water inflow in the Northern Caucasus and South of Russia in January-March was lower than average multiyear level. This fact coupled with outage of Irganayskaya HPP led to decrease of electricity generation in Northern Caucasus of 35% to 1,042 GWh.

According to the forecast of Hydrometeorological centre of Russia in April the water inflow to reservoirs of Upper Volga and Saratov reservoir is expected at 20-35% higher than norm, to Gor'kov, Cheboksary, Kuibyshev and Volgograd reservoir - closer to norms, to Kama - 15% lower. In 2Q 2011 water inflow to most reservoirs at Volga will exceed norm by 25-40%. The water inflow to Gor'kov, Cheboksary and Kama reservoirs is expected to be closer to normal levels. The total water inflow to reservoirs of Volga-Kama in 2Q 2011 is expected at 158-188 cubic km (against the average inflow of 161 cubic km).