OREANDA-NEWS. On 29 August 2008 was announced, that Vorkuta HPP-2, an affiliate of OJSC TGC-9 included in "Generation Urals" Division of IES-Holding, commenced on 28 August heat supplies to residential areas and industrial facilities in the city pursuant to a resolution of the head of Vorkuta administration on the start of the heating season.

RUR 170 million has already been invested in repair works in preparation for the heating season amounting to 62% of the funds allocated by the company's owner, IES-Holding, for the repair program. Fuel stocks at the affiliate's plants exceed standard requirements. Thus, 9,500 tons of fuel oil (as compared with 2,500 tons required) and 12,100 tons of coal (versus 10,900 tons) have been stockpiled.

 Included in the books of Vorkuta HPP-2 are heat networks supplying heat to industrial settlements and enterprises. According to the affiliate's Chief Engineer Vyacheslav Diakonov, main damage to sub-Arctic pipelines is caused by soil subsidence, and so TGC-9 has re-laid the pipelines in water-logged areas. The company will begin filling-in the heat systems on 27 August so that at 00:00 on 28 August full-scale heat supplies to Vorkuta residential areas may be commenced.

Active preparations for 2008-2009 autumn and winter period are currently under way in other companies of IES-Holding. In accordance with the requirements of Russia's Energy Ministry and its own corporate regulations, IES-Holding has arranged inspection of preparedness for the autumn and winter period carried out by its specially established task force and commissions at the energy facilities.

According to IES-Holding Operations Director Andrey Shishkin, preparation for the autumn and winter period is one of the Holding's priority tasks. "IES-Holding's power plants are located in 16 regions of the Russian Federation located in various climatic zones with distances between the remotest facilities reaching several thousand kilometers. Hence, there are various schedules of preparation for the autumn and winter period and commencement of heat supplies. In the northernmost town of the Republic of Komi heating season ends in June and start as early as August. Climatic and territorial factors impose an increased responsibility on our company in preparation for the autumn and winter period", he noted.