Moscow, 15 December 2005. Energy companies' repair teams have fully restored power in inhabited locations in the Moscow Region, Ryazan Region, Vladimir Region, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Ivanovo Region.

The power outages were caused by the heavy snow fall in the central regions of Russia, accompanied with gusty winds of up to 25 m per second in some parts. Changing temperatures and accumulation of snow and ice resulted in downed power lines. Access to the affected power facilities was blocked by snow.

The adverse weather damaged 20 transmission lines of 35-110 kV and about 95 lines of 6-10 kV. As many as 1,500 transformer stations of 6-10 kV lost power. Besides, power supply was discontinued to twelve 35-110 kV substations. The greatest number of emergency outages was registered in the Vladimir Region and Nizhny Novgorod Region.

Repair teams of RAO UESR subsidiaries carried out restoration work round the clock in close collaboration with the local civil defence and emergency agencies. The efforts to restore electricity to the affected areas were carried out by 170 energy repair teams with over 800 members. As a matter of first priority, the power was restored to schools, hospitals, and other important social infrastructure facilities.

OAO "Ulyanovskenergo" also managed to normalize the situation in the Ulyanovsk Region. As at 13:00 hours Moscow time on 15 December 2005, power was fully restored in 89 out of 98 towns and villages affected by the adverse weather.

The restoration work at OAO "Ulyanovskenergo" is carried out by 22 teams with the total number members up to 200, and 46 special purpose vehicles. It is expected that power will be fully restored in the region by the morning of 16 December.