OREANDA-NEWS. A subsidiary of JSC "Russian Grids" - IDGC of Centre is actively implementing a program of preparation for the upcoming 2014/2015 autumn-winter period. To date, all activities in the plan are made in full and on schedule.

The process of preparing the electric grid complex for winter is divided into two phases: the major part of the preparatory activities are implemented in the first phase, and in the second one any comments will be eliminated after preliminary checks.

A priority area of preparing power equipment for winter loads is performance of the repair program. In the first half of 2014 IDGC of Centre's specialists repaired 13,100 kilometres of power lines, 3.3 thousand transformer substations and 77 substations of 35-110 kV.

The bulk of the repairs is to be completed in September 2014.

Particular attention is paid to clearing ROWs along power lines. In the first half of 2014 9,700 hectares were cleared, efforts were made to expand ROWs in an area of 2,300 hectares. In total this year, according to the plan, more than 15,000 hectares will be cleared and about 4,500 hectares of ROWs along overhead lines will be extended.

In addition, two branches of IDGC of Centre - Voronezhenergo and Kurskenergo - installed circuits for melting ice on power lines. To date, Kurskenergo's experts conducted a trial melting of ice on the 110 kV overhead power line Garden - Phosphoritnaya I circuit.

To date, much of the preparatory activities for the autumn-winter operation period are complete. Emergency reserve has been provided at 98%, standby power sources have been tested. The plan has been executed for the purchase of special purpose vehicles in the amount of 202 units, including 159 off-road ones. The total number of the fleet by the end of this year is expected to reach 7,936 units.

Within preparation for the winter with the participation of the company's staff it is planned to perform 307 emergency response trainings for personnel's actions under conditions typical for the period of low temperatures. They also include planned 11 joint exercises with the EMERCOM, administrations and executive authorities of subjects of the Russian Federation.

In a case of emergency situations and elimination of their consequences, the company will be able to attract 1,406 first responding and restoration crews consisting of 7,873 people and 2,285 off-road vehicles and special equipment, including 90 crews of increased mobility of 520 people and 166 vehicles.

If necessary, IDGC of Centre has the ability to attract 40 contractors for first responding and restoration operations, as well as experts from other subsidiaries of the Group of Companies "Russian Grids" - branches of FGC UES - MES of Centre and MES of North-West, IDGC of North-West, IDGC of Centre and Volga Region, IDGC of Volga, IDGC of South, MOESK and Kubanenergo.

Despite strict adherence to deadlines, to date, the company's power engineers have decided to mobilize the maximum force to accelerate the completion of the electric grid complex availability for the upcoming autumn and winter operation period.