OREANDA-NEWS. October 13, 2011. “We have decided to limit the growth of fees of the majority of natural monopolies next year. This should restrain the growth of prices in the housing and utilities sector. I’d like to reaffirm that this is the government's principled position, and it will not be reviewed. This is why I consider it inadmissible when some officials say that amendments or adjustments are possible.”
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues. Let’s start with an update.

The reconstruction of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station continues. One of the project’s key stages – the spillway – has just been completed. It will be only crucial during the high water season in spring, yet it has already been launched. Igor Sechin has been there. Please, tell us about it in more detail.

Igor Sechin: Acting upon your instructions, I attended the opening ceremony of the spillway at the Sayano-Shushenskaya station jointly with representatives of RusHydro and the Energy Ministry. Our task concerned ensuring the station’s operation in Khakassia. All of the elements of the spillway were accepted, including the gates regulating the rate of the flow, two 1.1-kilometre tunnels drilled through the mountain (diameter 10 to 12 metres) and sluiceway entrances. In short, all of the elements of the spillway were accepted yesterday and a corresponding acceptance act was signed. The Federal Service for Supervision of Environment, Technology and Nuclear Management checked everything.

What does the launching of the spillway mean for the station’s personnel and the residents of Cheryomushki? They no longer have to fear that the water will rise so high as to damage the power station and the settlements located in the lower reaches.

Vladimir Putin: How long has it taken?

Igor Sechin: Mr Putin, you took the decision to build the spillway on the day you visited the power station after the accident. It had not been built during the Soviet era, although it was stipulated in the power station’s design.

Vladimir Putin: So, it was initially stipulated, but not built?

Igor Sechin: Yes, it was stipulated but not built. We have completed this project in record time – two years.

Vladimir Putin: So, it took you only two years?

Igor Sechin: Yes, two years.

Vladimir Putin: And how much did it cost? What’s the final figure?

Igor Sechin: Mr Putin, it is an expensive project, but we had to do it. The most expensive part was the drilling of the tunnels.

Vladimir Putin: I know it was expensive, but still, how much?

Igor Sechin: If you allow, I will report on the final figures a bit later because the calculations have not been finished yet. We have only completed the technical part of the project.