Moscow, 15 March 2006. Today, President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yury Osipov and Chairman of the Management Board of RAO "UES of Russia" Anatoly Chubais signed a Cooperation Agreement between RAO "UES of Russia" and the Academy.

The Agreement covers joint actions by RAO "UES of Russia" and the Academy to create the scientific and technological advances needed to develop the Unified Energy System of Russia. According to the document, the parties will endeavour to sustain and further develop fundamental research in energy and consolidate Russia's advantages in that area to promote social and economic development in the country.

The cooperation between RAO UESR and the Academy will be based on coordinated plans for applied R&D to develop Russia's electricity and heating sector. Specifically, they will team up to develop a plan detailing the location and capacity of new energy facilities to be built until 2030.

Moreover, the Agreement will promote fundamental and applied research at the institutions of the Russian Academy of Sciences designed to create competitive import-substituting equipment for RAO UESR entities. The parties will also work to develop and implement efficient, environment-friendly energy equipment and technologies.

In order to coordinate and oversee joint projects under the Agreement, the parties will establish, on a parity basis, task forces comprising representatives of RAO "UES of Russia" and the Russian Academy of Sciences.