OREANDA-NEWS. JSC RusHydro (ticker symbol: MICEX-RTS, LSE: HYDR; OTCQX: RSHYY) announces that the Company's Board of Directors has held a meeting in absentia.

The Board of Directors approved the report on implementation of innovation development Program for 2011-2015 with the outlook through 2021 in 2012 and priority projects within the Program.

The total financing of RusHydro’s innovation development projects (including R&D) in 2012 exceeded RUR 3 bn.

The Company has signed more than 12 agreements on research and development works and set up a business partnership with the following European technological platforms: СAPENERGIES, S2E2, DERBI, AVENIA, TENERRDIS, ALSACE ENERGIVIE. RusHydro also participates in construction of a hybrid wind and diesel power plants in Patagonia, Argentina in cooperation with the Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership (GSEP).

For a better control of innovation development the Company has drawn up and adopted the Regulations on Project committee for innovations and Financial Provisions for innovation development projects. The Management of RusHydro approved the activity concept of the Fund for scientific and technical development and reorganization concept of the Company’s scientific complex.

The following projects had been also accomplished in 2012:

- Development of automated system for measuring hydraulic turbine discharges;

- Creation of a diagnostic complex for reliability and safety control of hydrotechnical facilities;

- Improvement of ice operation mode of waterways and basins of HPPs.

The Board of Directors approved the performance reports of the Board of Directors’ committees for a period from July 25, 2012 to April 1, 2013.

The Board of Directors determined that the Company’s Management Board should consist of 14 members and elected Vladimir Pekhtin to the Management Board from April 16, 2013.

Vladimir Pekhtin was born in 1950 in Leningrad. In 1974, he graduated from the hydro engineering Faculty of the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, specializing in “the construction of hydrotechnical facilities”.

After graduation he started his work at KolymaGESstroy and then at Kolymaenergo.

In 1994, Vladimir Pekhtin was elected a member of Magadan regional Duma. From 1997 to 1999 - Chairman of Magadan regional Duma, member of the Federal Council, deputy chairman of the Federal Council’s energy committee. From 1999 to 2013 he was a deputy at the State Duma. In February 2013, he terminated his mandate.

Vladimir Pekhtin is awarded the title of Honored constructor, Honored Power Engineer, has a PhD in polytechnic science, and is a professor at the State Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University.