MRSK Tsentra : Leaders of Voronezhenergo discussed increasing the availability of power grid infrastructure with large consumers

Questions to increase the availability of power grid infrastructure and eliminate power shortages were the focus of a round table held at IDGC of Centre - Voronezhenergo division. The event was attended by representatives of the electric grid company, the regional government, industrial and agricultural enterprises, and territorial grid organizations.

The roundtable was opened with a lecture-presentation of Head of the department of grid connections of Voronezhenergo Vyacheslav Zvyagin, in which he informed the applicants of the procedure, timing, cost of this service, as well as measures taken by the company to enhance the availability of the power grid infrastructure. In particular, he said that the procedure, terms and costs to perform by the branch activities to connect to electric grids are strictly regulated by the current legislation. For example, the cost of this service is calculated on the basis of Order of the Office of state regulation of tariffs of the Voronezh region dated 26.12.2014 № 59/16 'On approval of payment for connection of power installations of applicants to electric grids of IDGC of Centre - Voronezhenergo division'.

Vyacheslav Zvyagin also said about how to apply for grid connection. This can be done including in the interactive form, leaving an application on the official website of the company at www.mrsk-1.ru in the Personal Account. 'To inform our customers promptly on the progress of applications for grid connection and value-added services the branch implemented a system of SMS-notification of applicants,' added Head of the department of grid connections.

Then there was discussion of topical issues within the agenda of the round table in which the applicants received professional, detailed answers of managers and specialists of the branch to their questions.

In particular, the discussion touched upon the power shortage, which is observed in the one million city and suburban Novousmansky and Ramonsky districts - in these areas there is intensive housing development, construction of new industrial and agricultural enterprises. In particular, a representative of Southwestern branch of 'Oboronenergo' was interested in the question of grid connection of new facilities from 110 kV substation №25, located in Soviet district of Voronezh.

Deputy General Director - Director of the branch Ivan Kleymenov reported that Voronezh power engineers are actively working to resolve the issue.

'At present, at the expense of the investment program six feeding centres are undergoing technical re-equipment that supply electricity to Voronezh. Next year, in addition to reconstruction with increasing power of a number of existing substations, it is planned to construct in Kominternovsky district of Voronezh a new feeding centre of 110 kV - the substation Sputnik,' informed Ivan Kleymenov.

The round table also raised the issue of the so-called 'paper' capacity. Some unscrupulous applicants take advantage of the law, reserved some capacity, which in fact is not used.

'To address this question it is necessary to amend the existing legislation, as currently the electric grid company has no legal basis for the transfer of unused capacity to really needy applicants,' voiced his position director of the branch.

In conclusion of the round table the participants thanked the specialists for the organization of the event and expressed their common opinion on the necessity of regular meetings of this kind.