Moscow, 2 March 2006. According to recent updates, the power plants of RAO "UES of Russia" increased electricity generation in February 2006 by 5.5% to 63.5 billion kWh from 60.2 billion kWh in the same period last year. In February, the energy consumption across Russia totalled 86.9 billion kWh, up 3.5% on the same period the year before.

The thermal power plants of RAO "UES of Russia" increased electricity generation by 8.4% to 55.5 billion kWh from 51.2 billion kWh in February last year. The output of the hydropower plants during the period declined by 11,1% to 8 billion kWh from 9 billion kWh, which was due to the lower water inflow levels at the HPP reservoirs.

The increased electricity output in February was driven by the overall economic growth, as well as by the increased household consumption caused by the extremely low outdoor temperatures during the first ten days of the month.

During the first two months of 2006, the power plants of RAO "UES of Russia" generated 134.4 billion kWh of electricity, an increase of 7.9% on the same period last year. The thermal power plants of RAO "UES of Russia" generated 117.5 billion kWh in January and February, up 11.4% on the same period of 2005, whereas the hydropower plants produced 16.9 billion kWh, down 11.5% in year-on-year terms. During the period, the energy consumption nationwide increased 5.7% yoy to 182.7 billion kWh.