Working group discusses plans to export electricity to China
12:35
KHABAROVSK, June 4 (RIA Novosti, Oleg Kulgin) - Russia's working group on the development of the energy sector of the southern Far East held a meeting in Khabarovsk, discussing plans for Far Eastern electricity exports to China.
The group dwelled on the plans to develop electricity generation and electrical grid facilities in the Amur Region, Maritime Territory, Khabarovsk Region, and southern Yakutia for the period of 15 years, given electricity exports to China and Korea can be raised in the future, said Vostokenergo energy Co.
Experts said the Far East possessing enormous prospected hydro resources could supply Northeast Asia suffering from power shortages with electricity without damaging domestic consumers' interests.
Scientists insist pursuing export-oriented strategies in the energy sector is important in the present circumstances.
Whereas gross regional product grew by 28.8% in the Far East from 1995 to 2002, industries' electricity consumption rose by a mere 11% over the same period, while the share of power consumption in the structure of local production reduced two-fold, according to the Economic Research Institute, the Russian Academy of Sciences' Far East Branch.
The reports studied at the meeting showed the plans to boost exports, including to China, could start being implemented even now. The initial phase will not require investment in new generating facilities. The now "locked" energy sources will only have to be released and more power lines built. Investment in power generation will be required in the event of boosting exports.
China's State Grid Corporation and the Federal Grid Company, part of the Unified Energy Systems Co., Russia's electricity giant, are drafting an agreement that will stipulate the volume and directions of electricity flow, other parameters, and cooperation terms and conditions. The draft agreement is being studied thoroughly in terms of Russia and the Far East's security and economic interests. The countries are expected to sign the agreement in Moscow in late June. |
