Power Generation

 

There was a strong growth of electricity consumption in Russia since 2005. This was stopped by the global financial recession in 2008 and as a result of this, the growth rate of industrial output decreased. From November 2008 onwards, the generation of electricity in Russia began to drop. In November 2008 generation of electricity dropped by 5.75% and in December 2008 – by 5%. The amount of electricity generated by JSC “OGK-6” plants in 2009 was 28,953 million kWh, 25% less than in 2008.

Electricity consumption in the Unified Power System of Russia in 2009 was 942.8 billion kWh, 4.7% less than the amount of consumption in 2008. Overall electricity generation in Russia in 2009 was 979 billion kWh, 4% less than in 2008. Plants of the Unified Power System of Russia generated 957 billion kWh (4.9% less than in 2008); in separate energy systems a total of 21.6 billion kWh was generated (generation increased by 1.8%).

Generation of Electricity, million kWh

	2005	2006	Change	2007	Change	2008	Change	2009	Change
Russia in general, million kWh	953,000	996,078	5%	1,016,000	2%	1,023,000	1%	978,600	-4%
OGK-6, Million kWh	28,006[1]	32,904	17%	34,065	4%	38,857	14%	28,953	-25%
OGK-6 share in electricity generation in Russia	2.94%	3.30%	12%	3.35%	2%	3.80%	13%	2.96%	-22%

 

 

The plants which became branches of JSC “OGK-6” displayed stable growth of performance indicators until the end of 2008. The growth rate of electricity generation at JSC “OGK-6” exceeded the growth rate of electricity generation in Russia. The share of JSC “OGK-6” on the Russian electricity market has increased year by year. In 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 it reached 2.9%, 3.3%, 3.4% and 3.8% respectively. In 2009 the share of OGK-6 in the total generation in Russia reduced by 22% and reached 3%.

  

Due to the fact that the plants of JSC “OGK-6” do not enjoy the highest fuel efficiency in comparison with its competitors and there is a significant share of coal in the fuel balance of JSC “OGK-6”, the generation of electricity correlates with the average Russian generation as follows:

- when total Russian generation increases, generation at JSC “OGK-6” increases at a faster than average rate.

- when total Russian generation decreases, generation at JSC “OGK-6” decreases at a faster than average rate.

Electricity generation at JSC “OGK-6” has a seasonal character. In the spring-summer period the generation of electricity decreases.

  

 In 2009, the capacity factor decreased from 49% to 37%. The decrease in the CF of plants is connected with the reduction of energy consumption in the regions, and also with the decrease in prices in the unregulated segment of the market which lead to a situation where it became more economically feasible to purchase electricity on the open market to fulfill regulated contracts.

The largest CF in 2009 was at Novocherkasskaya GRES: 50%, and at Krasnoyarskaya GRES-2: 46%. The largest reductions in CF in 2009 versus 2008 took place at Krasnoyarskaya GRES-2 and Cherepovetskaya GRES, by 21% and 18% respectively. At Ryazanskaya GRES this indicator reduced by 13%, and by 8% at Novocherkasskaya GRES and Kirishskaya GRES. The sharp drop in CF at GRES-24 is explained by the withdrawal of a power unit for modernization in July 2009.  

In 2008 the capacity factor increased from 43% to 49%. The reason for this growth is increasing consumption in the regions. The top growth of CF was observed at Krasnoyarskaya GRES-2 - 24.3%, Novocherkasskaya GRES - 7.3% and Ryazanskaya GRES - 4.1%.

 

 

For reference: The capacity factor (CF) is equal to the ratio of actual electric power generation for a given period to the possible electric power generation for the same period under conditions of operating at full capacity without shutdowns. The CF indicates the level of capacity utilization for electric power generation.

 

CF – (V_e)/(N_ust*t)*100, %                  

where:

V_e is the volume of electric power generated for the period, in kWh;

N_ust is installed capacity, in kW;

t is the number of calendar hours in a period, in hours.

 

  

Average operating capacity of JSC “OGK-6” plants

This table presents the average plant operating capacity for 2005-2008 (in MW).

The term “operating capacity" refers to installed power plant capacity, less limitations on its capacity and the capacity of equipment withdrawn for repairs.

 

 

	2005	2006	2007	2008
OGK-6 total	7017.6	7,087.4	7,407,1	7,177,8
Ryazanskaya GRES	2218.2	2,100.8	2,280.4	1,979.4
Novocherkasskaya GRES	1528.4	1,772.4	1,673.9	1,753.5
Kirishskaya GRES	1564.7	1,524.6	1,709.0	1,669.6
Krasnoyarskaya GRES-2	969.6	931.6	1,020.1	956.6
Cherepovetskaya GRES	443.9	472.9	437.0	531.1
GRES-24	292.8	285.1	286.7	287.6