Russia's Unified Energy Systems Intend To Build Sakhalin-Japan Energy Bridge By 2010-2012

RAO UES of Russia (Russia's Unified Energy Systems) intends to build the Sakhalin-Japan energy bridge by 2010-2012, Anatoly Chubais, chairman of the RAO UES board, reported. According to him, gas extracted within the framework of the Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 "offshore projects" will be used as a fuel. RAO plans to construct a steam and gas power plant with a 4,000-mWt capacity in Sakhalin as well as to put into operation 1,800-kilometre-long high-voltage power transmission lines, of which 400 km will be ground-based, while 1,400 km will be laid on the sea bed. The total value of the project is estimated at USD 9.6 billion. Chubais reported that the project had been developed over the past two years. At the same time, he noted a high interest in it showed by Japanese energy consumers.