Moscow. 21 July. It has been exactly a year today since OAO "System Operator – Central Dispatch Administration of the Unified Energy System of Russia" (OAO "UES SO-CDA")* started performing the functions of operational and dispatch management of the Unified Energy System ("UES") of Russia.

After a year of work, a unified dispatch management system has been established in Russia. This system ensures management of operational modes and reliable functioning of the UES of Russia during the transition stage of the energy industry reform, as well as in a competitive market environment. To date, branches of the System Operator have been established and operate efficiently: seven Integrated Dispatch Administrations (IDAs) of the energy systems in the East of Russia, Siberia, Urals, Middle Volga, North Caucasus, Center and North-West of Russia, and 49 Regional Dispatch Administrations established on the basis of dispatch units separated from the regional energy companies.

For the first time ever, OAO "UES SO-CDA" managed to establish and strictly adhere to the standards for electricity frequency control within the UES of Russia that are compliant with the requirements of the European power market. Over the first 6 months of 2003, the UES of Russia has worked 100% of time at the frequency established by the common standard for the CIS, and 99.98% of time at a frequency meeting the requirements of the West-European synchronized zones.

OAO "UES SO-CDA" is now proactively working to prepare for the launch of a competitive electricity market in Russia. In particular, the System Operator, jointly with other energy market participants, has drafted the Technology rules for the electricity market. Within the framework of preparations for the launch of a competitive segment of the wholesale electricity market, OAO "UES SO-CDA" is taking part in simulation trading, thus ensuring efficient management of operational modes within the UES of Russia.