Moscow, 12 February 2004. The power plants of RAO "UES of Russia" have been able to maintain a steady electricity supply to consumers despite the limited gas supply as a result of the accident on the Yamburg-Yelets gas pipeline.

The pipeline accident occurred on Wednesday evening in Perm Region, 130 kilometres from the city of Perm. According to the most recent updates, the accident has led to reduced gas supplies to the power plants of most regional energos and AO-power plants in the Centre of Russia and Urals: OAO "Mosenergo", OAO "Lipetskenergo", OAO "Bryanskenergo", OAO "Vladimirenergo", OAO "Kalugaenergo", OAO "Ryazanenergo", OAO "Tambovenergo", OAO "Tulenergo", OAO "Yarenergo", OAO "Voronezhenergo", OAO "Nizhnovenergo", OAO "Ivenergo", OAO "Bashkirenergo", OAO "Kirovenergo", OAO "Kostromskaya TPP", OAO "Konakovskaya TPP", and OAO "Ryazanskaya TPP". The supplies have been reduced by 15-50% of the planned supply of gas to these power plants.

The enterprises of RAO "UES of Russia" are maintaining uninterrupted teat and electricity supply by using the alternate fuels, i.e. coal and heavy fuel oil.

The coal and fuel oil inventories in all of the above energy companies are 10-180% above the target. The standard fuel inventories are sufficient to maintain normal and uninterrupted supply of energy to consumers for at least 10 days.

Until the repairs at the gas pipeline are completed, the enterprises of RAO "UES of Russia" will endeavour their best efforts to prevent a reduction in electricity and heat production because of limited gas supply.