The meeting, held via videoconference, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, representatives of the relevant federal and regional executive authorities, the Federal Assembly, sectoral business associations, as well as scientific and expert organisations.
Members of the working group discussed issues pertaining to the development of the gas supply infrastructure in regions of the Russian Federation and made their proposals on the introduction of a new development model. In particular, they discussed a one-stop shop for contacts with natural gas consumers, ways to reduce the cost of the construction of gas supply networks, and the establishment of a single regional operator for the development of gas supply infrastructure to act as the centre in charge of implementing regional programmes in this field.
In addition, they identified pilot regions for drawing up a target-oriented energy budget forecast and subsequent testing of the new gas supply infrastructure development model for the regions.
Chair of the State Council commission on energy Sergei Tsivilev noted that the setting of regional energy budgets is a necessary component for the development of efficient power engineering in the Russian regions.
A draft report will be prepared for the working group’s next meeting, taking into account the comments and suggestions that were made.