The Commission Chairman and Governor of Kemerovo Region Sergei Tsivilev, Minister of Energy Nikolai Shulginov, and representatives of specialised federal and regional executive authorities and organisations attended the meeting.
Igor Levitin noted that preparations for the heating season were related to energy and economic security matters and were under constant review by the head of state. However, a difficult situation has arisen regarding the coal supply to energy providers in the Far Eastern Federal District, where energy providers cannot get coal although it is available on the domestic market. Meanwhile, production of the electric and thermal power that is critical for the subsistence of the population directly depends on coal supplies.
Minister of Energy Nikolai Shulginov said that in view of a coal price hike on the international market and current pricing, as well as strict selection conditions, some coal producers stopped participating in bidding for fuel supply to RusHydro energy providers, which resulted in coal shortages at some regional power plants and thermal power plants. Another problem for Far Eastern energy providers is difficulties with the shipment of previously contracted coal volumes, caused by an export cargo traffic increase. However, they have managed to return the situation to normal.
Participants in the meeting discussed the possibility of additional coal supplies to RusHydro if the transportation plans for export and domestic needs were properly agreed upon by OAO Russian Railways in general.
Representatives of some constituent entities of Russia spoke about the situation regarding coal supply to certain regions and related problems.
As a result of the meeting, the commission will recommend that federal and regional executive authorities as well as economic entities take measures aimed at the unconditional and timely satisfaction of the demand for coal of energy providers in the Far Eastern Federal District at a time of high demand for the production of Russian coal producers on the world fuel and energy market.