MOSCOW, 22 Sep — PRIME. UES System Operator reported delays in the implementation of the modernization program for Russian thermal power plants.
“In some areas, we predict difficulties with the possibility of starting modernization measures (power plants – ed.) due to the fact that energy consumption greatly exceeds existing forecasts, and the withdrawal of individual facilities for modernization may become impossible,” said Fyodor Opadchiy, Chairman of the Board of SO UES at the conference organized by the Energy Producers Council.
According to him, some energy companies have already announced delays in the launch of thermal power plant modernization projects due to problems with power equipment. We are talking about seven facilities with a total capacity of 2.4 GW.
Opadchy stressed that due to the risks associated with the equipment, the program will move to the right at some pace.
The Comprehensive Modernization Program for Operating Thermal Power Plants (COMMod) was launched in 2019. Over the 10 years of its implementation (2022-2031), it was planned to attract about 1.9 trillion rubles to the industry and upgrade the existing capacities to 41 GW. Projects pay off at the expense of large consumers who pay for the capacity of facilities at an increased rate. According to the modernization program in 2022-2027, it was planned to launch projects for 25.2 GW.