Russian electrical power export capacity to China not yet at maximum due to objective limitations - Russian Energy Ministry

MOSCOW. Dec 7 (Interfax) - Electrical power export capacity from Russia to China is not yet at its maximum due to objective limitations, Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Snikkars told reporters on the sidelines of the Russian Renewable Energy conference, organized by the Russian Renewable Energy Development Association (ARVE).

"The power has not yet been increased to the parameters you are talking about [the declared maximum power is 600 MW]. The reason is the circuit-regime situation, the capabilities of generating facilities and the increase in electricity consumption within the Eastern UES," Snikkars said.

"There were no restrictions on exports; there was a determination of the current possibilities for introducing the regime in terms of available generation and the required volume of electricity to cover growth in consumption and domestic demand. We do not yet see prospects for an increase in quantitative parameters," the deputy minister said.

The only operator working with the export/import of electricity in Russia is PJSC Inter RAO.

In August, the Ministry of Energy reported that the flow of power to China via the Amurskaya - Heihe overhead line was limited to 100-200 MW amid a shortage situation in Eastern energy system. Inter RAO confirmed a decrease in exports via the specified overhead line from 600 MW to 100-200 MW. Deliveries via 110-220 kV overhead lines continued as planned.

Export restrictions will be introduced before the end of the year, Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov said in September.