Russian Energy Sector Improves Performance

Unified Energy Systems Co., Russia's electricity giant, considerably improved its performance in 2000. This was reported by Alexander Voloshin, head of the Russian presidential staff and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Unified Energy Systems, who was addressing the annual general meeting of the company's shareholders today. Voloshin went on to specify that the Unified Energy Systems had, among other things, improved the quality of the electric power supplied. In 2000, its generating companies increased the production of electricity by 3.4 percent in comparison with 1999 and its thermal stations, by 3.1 percent. Last year, the enterprises of the holding company produced a total 622.8 billion kwh of electricity. Speaking of the 2000-2001 heating season, Voloshin pointed out that it was the time when power suppliers toughened their demands while the deliveries of natural gas and black oil to the electric stations were insufficient. At the same time, Voloshin said that as many of Russia's regions, especially its Far East and its Arkhangelsk region, were hit by an acute energy crisis this past winter, Unified Energy Systems took necessary measures to overcome it. An anti-crisis staff was set up to remedy the situation.