Moscow, 13 December 2005. Energy companies' repair teams are working round the clock to restore power in some areas of the Moscow Region, Ryazan Region, Vladimir Region, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Ivanovo Region, and Ulyanovsk Region.

The power outages were caused by heavy snow in the central regions of Russia. Accumulation of snow and changing temperatures downed power lines.

As at 9:00 am on 13 December 2005, about 1500 transformer stations of 6-10 kV lost power. As a result, the power failure affected 450 sparsely populated rural locations. According to the dispatching organization unit of OAO "Center and North Caucasus Interregional Distribution" , the outages in 35-110 kV networks were insignificant and did not have an effect on the local consumers.

The efforts to restore electricity to the affected areas are carried out by 170 energy repair teams with over 800 members using special equipment. First of all, the power is restored to schools, hospitals, and other important public infrastructure facilities.

The restoration efforts are seriously hampered by the adverse weather, with snow accumulating on power lines. Access to the affected power facilities is blocked by snow.

The situation is most complicated in the Vladimir Region and Nizhny Novgorod Region. The branches of regional grid companies and the Units of Civil Defence and Emergencies have created Disaster Recovery Centers to control the power restoration efforts.

At 12:00 am on 9 December 2005, the Center and North Caucasus IDC introduced a special procedure to control the restoration efforts. As prescribed by the operational messaging rules, information is gathered and transmitted on a more frequent basis. The regional grid companies have stronger crews on duty equipped with special devices.

The power restoration efforts in the affected areas of OAO "Center and North Causcasus IDC" are coordinated by the Service of RAO UESR Technical Director Boris Vainzikher.