As part of the investment program 2017, Ulyanovsk Distribution Grids, a branch of IDGC of Volga, PJSC (a member of Rosseti Group), continues to upgrade its communication systems. To date construction of optical fiber lines have been completed at the 7.5 km section of Mirnaya 110 kV substation. By the end of this year, the power engineers of the branch are going to finalize construction of optical fiber lines on high-voltage power transmission lines on the 8.3 km section of Barysh 220 kV substation — Reducktor 110 kv substation and on the 2.6 km section of Veshkayma 110 kV substation — Veshkayma 550 kV substation.
Optical fiber lines are constructed to establish new communication channels, improve monitoring of the grids and substations condition and ensure timely informing of any emergencies. Apart from this, the branch is replacing analogous high-frequency communication equipment for digital systems, which enable transmission of information about the grids and substations condition in modern protocols. In 2017, such replacements will cover 6 areas: Teplichnaya 110 kV substation — Otrada 110 kV substation, Teplichnaya 110 kV substation — Urzhumskaya 110 kV substation, Yuzhnaya 110 kV substation — Bolshiye Klyuchischi 110 kV substation, Ignatovka 110 kV substation — Timoshkino 110 kV substation, Barysh 220 kV substation — PWT 110 kV, Barysh 220 kV substation — Bazarny Syzgan 110 kV substation.
The teleautomatics system at Melekess Gorodskaya 110 kV substation has also been upgraded. Implementation and development of digital means of dispatch and process communications is aimed at improving observability of the energy facilities and, consequently, reliability of power supply.