29 Jun 2011 09:07

Russia stops electricity exports to Belarus because of debt

MOSCOW. June 29 (Interfax) - Russia's Inter RAO stopped electricity supplies to Belarus starting at midnight of June 29.

Inter RAO restricted supplies to Belarus on June 9 because of the debt in the amount of 1.5 billion Russian rubles that had accumulated from February. Electricity supplies were limited to 200 megawatts compared to 400 - 500 megawatts before. Supplies were resumed in full on June 13. However, the second tranche of the debt was not paid in line with the payment schedule signed between the parties.

The Russian side planned to stop electricity supplies to Belarus on June 22, as the Belarusian side failed to pay the second tranche by June 20. However, Inter RAO agreed delay the second tranche for a week following the talks.