Power storage could cover up to 350 MW of energy shortage in southern Russia - paper

MOSCOW. July 1 (Interfax) - The Russian government is considering using energy storage systems to cover up to 350 MW of the energy shortage in the southern part of the country, national daily Kommersant reported on Tuesday, citing the minutes from a meeting on this issue that Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak held in early June.

This would include up to 250 MW of capacity for Krasnodar Territory and up to 100 MW for Crimea, the paper said.

The investors for these projects could be selected in a tender, which is what the Renewable Energy Development Association is proposing, or appointed, in which case state grid operator Rosseti could build the storage systems in a technology partnership with Rosatom

These systems could go into operation as early as the summer of next year, the paper said, citing sources.

The possibility of using storage systems for the South was floated in the spring, when Market Council management board member Oleg Barkin said in a presentation that 200 MW of the energy shortage could be covered this way. System Operator management board member Andrei Katayev, meanwhile, said comprehensive projects, combining renewable energy and storage, could become an alternative to conventional power generation.

The latest approved plan and development program for electricity systems for 2025-2029 projects that the energy shortage in the Southern Federal District could reach up to 2.1 GW by 2030.