24 March 2003. RAO "UES of Russia" is expanding power generation to meet the increasing electricity consumption in Russia. During the first 20 days in this March, power consumption exceeded the anticipated level by 2.25 billion kWh, or 4.3%. In this connection, the electricity production at RAO UES enterprises in the 20 days of March totalled 35.957 billion kWh, which is 1.579 billion kWh (or 4.6%) more than the target for the period.

In March 2003, the temperature in Russia has been 1.8^?? warmer than the mean annual temperature. Despite that, the energy consumption continues to grow in some regions of the country: in Siberia it increased by 3%, in Urals by 6%, in the Middle Volga area by 4.3%, in the North Caucasus by 9.6%, and in the Center of Russia by 4.9% above the target.

As a result, the thermal power plants (TPPs) of RAO "UES of Russia" exceeded the target for electricity generation by 151.4 million kWh (2.4%), while the regional energos' TPPs surpassed the target by 1,428.5 million kWh (5.1%). The hydroelectric power plants of RAO "UES of Russia", on the whole, exceeded the target by 402.4 million kWh (15.6%), but the water supply deficit in some regions of Russia resulted in lower power generation at some of the regional energos' HPPs. For instance, because of water shortages, the water supply in the reservoirs of the Angara-Yenisey HPP cascade decreased by 34% compared to last year, while that of the Volga-Kama cascade decreased by 30%. The most significant reduction in water supply, 6.5% of the norm, was at the HPPs of OAO "Karelenergo".

The increased electricity and heat production has led to increased fuel consumption: in the first 20 days of March, the black oil consumption exceeded the target by 55 thousand tons (9.3%), while the coal consumption exceeded the target by 435 thousand tons (5.1%). Nevertheless, RAO "UES of Russia" has managed to ensure the necessary replenishment of fuel inventories. Black oil supplies to the TPPs of RAO "UES of Russia" in the first 20 days of March have been double the target figure, while coal supplies exceeded the target by 13%. As a result, the current fuel oil inventories at the power plants of RAO "UES of Russia" are 0.48 million tons, or 14.8% above the target, while the coal inventories are 1.89 million tons, or 34% more than the target.

Since 2001, UES of Russia has operated 100% of calendar time within the power quality standards. In March 2003, the frequency of electric current in the UES averaged 50.00 Hz.