OREANDA-NEWS. On 18 March 2009 was announced, that Mikhail Slobodin President of IES-Holding told in his recent interview to ‘Vesti-24' TV Channel, that Current economic situation gives an opportunity to implement modernization of power assets and construction of new facilities in the conditions of underload of existing capacities and change in demand for power.

Answering the question on investment processes in the industry Mr. Slobodin noted that the Russian Ministry of Energy "now proposes an analysis of the situation on the basis of the General Facility Location Plan and to review the situation with consumption". For that reasons in December representatives of the Russian Ministry of Energy, System Operator, Regional Authorities analyzed the economic situation in different regions of the Russian Federation. According to President of IES-Holding newly constructed generating facilities which are stipulated by the investment programs of generating companies require "fine tuning" which allows adjustment of construction sites location in accordance with the demand for heat and power. "The changes will not be global but nevertheless such a fine tuning is unavoidable since the situation is actually changing" - Mikhail Slobodin says.

Speaking about introduction of new capacities IES-Holding President noted "As to construction as a whole, I believe that up to 2015 everything that was planned will be in demand". Moreover all generating companies state clearly that they will meet their commitments regarding the amount of new construction, Mr. Slobodin said.

Speaking about the situation in the industry as a whole, President of IES-Holding noted that the Russian Ministry of Energy has promptly accepted the functions of RAO UES and "rather strictly" supervises the situation. According to him generating companies actively cooperate with the Ministry in a number of current issues including supplies of coal, fuel stocks.