Moscow, 11 March 2004. On 10 March, the Chairman of the Management Board of RAO "UES of Russia" Anatoly Chubais held a meeting in Moscow with the Governor of Chelyabinsk Region Pyotr Sumin.

During the meeting, they discussed the issue of fuel supply to Argayashskaya CHPP of OAO "Chelyabenergo". The power plant is the principal consumer of the coal produced by Chelyabinsk Coal Company. The parties agreed to take joint actions to promote economic development of Chelyabinsk Region taking into account the interests of both energy and mining companies.

For that end, a protocol will be signed in the near future regarding the steps to be taken to shape the fuel supply mix of Argayashskaya CHPP using Chelyabinsk and Kuzbass coals. Anatoly Chubais emphasized that the coal supplies to the power plant from Kuzbass will not affect the consumption of Chelyabinsk coals, as the supplies of coals by Chelyabinsk miners will remain unchanged. Next week, a commission from RAO "UES of Russia" starts work in Chelyabinsk region to address the technical and financial aspects of the problem.