The consumers’ inclination towards cost optimisation and decarbonisation encourages the development of the distributed and RES production, as well as the associated technologies. However, at the same time, deep digitalisation of processes at the customers’ side leads to high demand for security. Alternate electricity suppliers are yet unable to provide this without doubling connection facilities in the centralised energy supply system. In addition, electricity suppliers and consumers are interested in achieving bigger flexibility in terms of process solutions, as well as from the economic viability perspective. The Company reacts to these trends by carrying out systematic work on reducing accident risk in the transmission network complex, implementing digital solutions for substation automation, operational grid management, ensuring technological connection to the UNEG of RES production facilities.

Our Answer:

The new LDP mainly maintains continuity regarding the previous version of the document. At the same time, new approaches to solving constant basic objectives of the Company — maintaining and developing UNEG, ensuring reliability of the energy supply — were developed.

Implementation of the new, digital design, unification and distribution of project documentation and engineeringgeological studies results become a priority.

In accordance with the current global trends, major attention is paid to the implementation of innovative technologies. The Digital Substations programme is planned to be expanded. Implementation of cutting-edge technology is expected to increase equipment reliability and network monitoring and control, reduce the impact of the human factor, and lower the number of failures and time required to liquidate their consequences.

Fulfilment of these objectives requires changes in financing volumes and principles, as well as new approaches to assessment of the achievement level of the established goals. For example, the process for improving investment efficiency instead of the level of cost decrease will be assessed with acceleration of the designing terms, application of cutting-edge technologies, and reduction in faults taken into account.

This way, the Long-Term Development Programme takes into account current risks which can affect the implementation of the Company’s strategic plans, and provides for measures for their mitigation, as well as includes implementation of measures stipulated in the May Decree of the President of the Russian Federation.

Our Answer:

The total volume of the Rosseti FGC UES Investment Programme 2020–2024 amounts to RUB 555 billion. Approximately one fifth of this sum will be transferred to finance our work in the Far Eastern Federal District, including regions of Eastern Siberia: the Republics of Buryatia and Sakha (Yakutia), and Zabaykalsky Krai.

Under the new investment cycle, the implementation of the macro-project of the external electricity supply development of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railways will continue, aimed at increasing their capacity to 124.9 million tonnes/year. At the same time, a programme of further strengthening of grid infrastructure to increase freight traffic up to 180 million tonnes/year is being developed in cooperation with JSC RZD, under the objectives of Decree of the President of Russia No. 204 of 7 May 2018.

Furthermore, works will be carried out to ensure the necessary capacity of the facilities of the Power of Siberia main gas pipeline in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Amur Region, and the Sukhodol coal terminal in Primorsky Krai. Until 2024, the completion of all electricity supply activities in the Elginskoye coal field in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Malmyzhskoye gold-copper field in Khabarovsk Krai, and the Ozernoye polymetallic ore field in the Republic of Buryatia is afoot.

A special area of the Company’s activities is related to the creation of conditions for successful operation of priority development zones in the Far East. In 2019, the 220 kV Prompark substation — a new power centre of the Primorskaya power system — was put into operation to supply electricity to the Nadezhdinskaya priority development zone. In 2020, technological connection of its facilities is scheduled for completion. In 2021–2024, activities will be carried out to supply electricity to residents of the Yuzhnaya Yakutia, Neftekhimichesky, and Svobodny priority development zones.

Our Answer:

The Innovation development of Rosseti FGC UES essentially comes from digitalisation. For more than a decade, we have been introducing digital solutions in the UNEG in line with IEC 61850. Over 200 substations were partially digitalised. Our Company is the industry pioneer in terms of switching power facilities to remote control. According to the 2019 results, this technology was adopted by 22 facilities. Digital technology enables us to raise the efficiency and safety of industry-wide operations, as well as cut operating costs.

The Innovative Development Programme also includes the Energy Saving Substation project. It involves the implementation of technological solutions, allowing to reduce electricity consumption for own needs up to 50% at existing power facilities.

A project to construct a high-temperature superconducting cable line with a length of 2.5 km — making it the world’s largest cable line — is also being implemented. This technology enables the transmission of high capacity at low voltage and with minimum losses. Pilot implementation of this cable line is planned to take place in the power system of Saint Petersburg.

Our Answer:

The relevance of cybersecurity has grown significantly in recent years. The number of incidents and attacks on the information infrastructure of the Russian Federation is increasing; in this regard, there is a need for centralised control and management of the information security system of the Company. In addition, we have to comply with the requirements of federal legislation and industry regulation in terms of ensuring the security of critical information infrastructure. To address these problems, the Company applies the best practices and positive experience of major infrastructure organisations, including international ones. The Company has established a Centre for Operational Management and Response to Information Security Incidents. In the reporting year, we recorded almost 7,000 activities concerning the information security; over 5,000 of them were attempts to distribute malicious software from the Internet and via e-mail. All the incidents were duly responded to and the sources of threats were blocked.

The Company focuses on raising the level of employees’ awareness of personal security issues. We started to work with bodies authorised in information security: the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control of Russia, the Federal Security Service of Russia, the National Coordination Centre for Computer Incidents, the State System for Detection, Prevention and Elimination of Computer Attacks (in Russian, GosSOPKA).

Our Answer:

In order to train staff to work in a digital electric grid complex, Rosseti FGC UES is actively working in several areas. On the one hand, we are taking a systematic approach to the development and re-training of Company personnel. The Company is working on new training programmes, upgrading its in-house training centres by introducing new digital equipment and technology, and retraining its specialists in new professional competencies.

On the other hand, we are happy to be involved in training personnel for the energy industry of the future, expanding our cooperation with energy companies, universities and the international energy community.

The Company is involved in developing and upgrading existing educational programmes of higher and secondary special educational institutions, along with educational laboratories and digital equipment training facilities. Engaging students and graduates in the Company’s research activities and implementing a programme for the professional development of talented youth in the electric power sector in partnership with the Youth Section of the CIGRE Russian National Committee are important for the Company.