Russian electricity exports to China may decline slightly in 2017 - Dvorkovich
BEIJING. Sept 20 (Interfax) - Russian electricity exports to China may decline slightly in 2017, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich told reporters upon the conclusion of a meeting of the Russian-Chinese intergovernmental commission.
"Everything depends on the situation of the industries in the border area, primarily what is happening with the structure of electricity generation in China itself. The share of coal is dropping, in some places they are beginning to be interested in different supplies and capacity. For the time being, the volume has been stable. This year there is a very small decline," he said.
Russia exported 3.32 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity to China in 2016.
In future, the volume will be maintained at a stable level. "We have a working group, the balances are being aligned right now. It will be clear. We counted on an increase in exports for a time, but this is unlikely now. But a stable level can be maintained," Dvorkovich said.
Inter RAO is the sole Russian supply of electricity to China; there are no plans to have other exporters appear. "Not for now. Only if there are joint projects with other investors and there are some sort of inter-governmental agreements," Dvorkovich said when asked about liberalization of electricity exports to China.