Peretok Light: highlights of the Russian and global power sectors for 1–7 October

Peretok Light: highlights of the Russian and global power sectors for 1–7 October

Источник: Philipp Borris / Shutterstock.com

Minpromtorg proposes subsidizing development of gas turbine through PPP

The main sectoral event of the last seven days was the Russian Energy Week (REW 2018), which brought together representatives from the government, regulators and top managers of key players in the sector. Behind the scenes at the forum were discussed all items on the agenda that was relevant to the energy sector, with the focus, however, on the modernization programme, which has been developed by the authorities in a rush mode for nearly a year now. On Friday the news was dominated by attendees at the REW panel session titled “Power engineering: enabling the energy sector modernization plans”. Vasily Osmakov, deputy head of Minpromtorg, said that the authorities were counting on public-private partnership in developing gas turbines yet unknown in Russia.

SilMash pushes for independent development of large gas turbine

Timur Lipatov, new head of Siloviye Mashiny (which is a key bidder for R&D public funding for GTP development) stated that according to his company, the main scenario is independent development of a national gas turbine, which involves engaging design contractors and setting up test stands. SilMash is not ready to set up local manufacturing that involves building foreign-designed gas turbines in Russia. Alexey Mordashov's mechanical engineering group is willing to invite Siemens in, but on the same condition of “transfer of intellectual property”. 

Inter RAO discusses full local manufacturing of gas turbines with GE

The generators that will in all likelihood need gas turbines at the second stage of cogeneration modernization (the first, one-shot, auction for 2022-2024 is expected to cover cogeneration plant upgrading projects) opt for local manufacturing arrangements. This is currently the most realistic scenario according to most experts in the sector.

Siemens discusses manufacturing key turbine components for TPS in the RF with Russian companies

Previously, the authorities had factored 7 bln roubles into the draft federal budget for the next three-year period, earmarked for R&D cost subsidization in gas turbine development. The energy community is confident that the allocations will be made, but many sectoral experts doubt the returns on investment will be high. Previously machine builders complained off the record about failure by Russian metallurgists to produce parts for the so-called hot section, which includes the combustor and the turbine blades. Consultations with metal casters are in progress, but the only realistic solution is probably to order key parts from China, they said. While domestic machine builders were still optimistic about finding a local solution, they were joined by Siemens. The German group started looking for a partner to make the hot section among Russian ironworks.

In September, EPCWM debt was down rather than up for the first time since the start of the year

On the penultimate day of REW 2018, which took place between 3 and 6 October at Moscow Manège, Tsentr Finansovykh Raschotov [Clearing House] reported a major accomplishment. 

Overdue debt to Rosseti reaches 127b roubles as at 1 August

Since the beginning of the year, the regulators have been firing on all cylinders against payment defaults: e.g., five default providers (DPs) of Mezhregionsoyuzenergo were driven out of EPCWM. Although the debt in the wholesale segment has stopped rising, banning the defaulters from EPCWM will not help stop the cascade of defaults surrounding Rosseti. Out of 127 bln roubles of arrears, 56% are those of DPs: and whereas the struck-off affiliates of Mezhregionsoyuzenergo owe 9.4 bln roubles, GK TNS Energo, which remains in the market, owes 18.2 bln roubles.   

Minenergo asks Rosseti to draft proposals regarding debt situation in SKFO [North Caucasian Federal District (NCFD)]

Another headache for Rosseti is defaults by consumers in the North Caucasus, where the grid group serves as a disco. Rosseti's offers to repay in full the outstanding debts to the generators after 2050, as Peretok reported earlier, are rejected by both the authorities and the producers. 

Inter RAO rejects debt rescheduling until 2050 in the North Caucasus

Government intends to redistribute cross over 7 years

Behind the scenes at REW 2018, the participants were actively discussing the provisions and consequences of the grid tariff reform, which first of all affects the interests of major consumers with some lobbying clout. On the eve of the forum, Kommersant reported that the government was revisiting the idea of social electricity consumption quota for the public. In the course of REW, civil servants stated on numerous occasions that it involved gradation of rate schedules for consumers, rather than the introduction of a social quota, but could not explain the basic difference between these approaches. The idea per se, however, aimed as it is at reducing the level of cross subsidization in the public-industry coupling, found support in the energy community. The government meanwhile intends to redistribute this type of cross in the power industry within seven years, essentially bringing back additional load for major industries.

In search of reserves

Peretok put together a consolidated review of the tariff changes to be made in the grid infrastructure the day before the forum. 


08-10-2018 15:52

Other users read