Moscow, 3 August 2004. In the first seven months of 2004, the power plants of RAO "UES of Russia" generated 376.8 billion kWh, up 2.3% on the corresponding period of the previous year. This ensured an increase in the electricity consumption in Russia over the period to 523.5 billion kWh, up 2.1% on 2003.

In July 2004, the electricity consumption grew in year-on-year terms by 3.3% to 63.4 billion kWh. The power plants of RAO "UES of Russia" generated 45.2 billion kWh of electricity, which is 4% more than the figure for July 2003.

The increase in electricity generation at RAO "UES of Russia" in the first seven months of 2004 was ensured by the hydropower plants, whose output grew over the period by 19.1% to 78 billion kWh. In July 2004, the hydropower plants of RAO "UES of Russia" generated 12.9 billion kWh, a 40% increase in year-on-year terms. During the first seven months of this year, the thermal power plants of RAO "UES of Russia" generated 298.8 billion kWh of electricity, which is nearly the same level as in the corresponding period of 2003.

Such changes in the electricity output are due to the fact that RAO "UES of Russia" has changed the production targets for some thermal power plants and increased the targets for hydroelectric power plants, which have a lower cost of electricity. In particular, this has helped to effectively use the high water inflow of the rivers in Siberia, Northern Caucasia, and the Volga river basin, and reduce the fuel costs.