OREANDA-NEWS. On 26 December 2008 was announced, that the Federal Tariff Service of the Russian Federation has coordinated proposals of the government of the Belgorod Region and Belgorodenergo, a branch of IDGC of Centre, JSC, about implementation on the territory of the region of regulation of tariffs for services in electric energy transmission on the basis of RAB (regulatory asset base) - method of profitability of the invested capital. The innovations will come into force since 1 January, 2009.

The new system of tariff regulation urged to solve the main problem of the grid system: attraction of funds for its development, which is especially important for the Belgorod Region, where the real sector of economy is developping intensively.

Chairman of the Commission on State Price and Tariff Regulation of the Belgorod Region Valentine Kolodezny considers implementation in the region of RAB regulation good both for the network company and for its consumers. According to him, the new system will promote attraction of scale investments into modernisation and expansion of the grid system, reduction of deficiency in capacity in the region and improvement of the quality and reliability of electricity supply of consumers. According to V.Kolodezny, decrease in the tariffs for technological connection will become an important peculiarity of regulation for potential investors.

With the use of RAB method the tariffs will be established for three to five years, which makes conditions of investment more predictable. The term of return of capital investments is thirty-five years.

The initial base of the involved capital for Belgorodenergo is defined at the rate of RUR 18.98bn.

The first long-term period of regulation is established for three years (2009-2011). Thanks to RAB implementation, during the period through to 2011 it is planned to attract in the distribution networks of the Belgorod Region investments for a total sum of RUR 18.28bn. And in 2009 the investment programme of Belgorodenergo will make RUR 6.45bn, compared to 2.5bn in 2008. In 2010 the investment programme is planned at the rate of RUR 6.55bn, and in 2011, RUR 5.28bn.

In the nearest future the Commission on Price and Tariff State Regulation of the Belgorod Region will sign the order on establishment of tariffs for transfer of electric power with the use of the RAB method.

Belgorodenergo became one of pilots of implementation of RAB regulation among the branches of IDGC of Centre, JSC. Apart from Belgorodenergo, the RAB system has been implemented since 2009 in Tverenergo and Lipetskenergo branches.