21 july 2010

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin calls for the fastest possible reconstruction of the Baksan hydropower plant damaged by explosions

Participants:

Immediately after learning about explosions at the Baksan hydropower plant, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin instructed Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin to promptly redirect energy flows, so that the attack would not affect energy supplies to consumers. Mr Putin also instructed him to draft a plan of the plant's complete reconstruction as soon as possible.

Per the prime minister's directive, Mr Sechin will hold an emergency meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Energy, other ministries and departments, RusHydro and other energy companies in order to quickly assess all issues linked with the situation at the Baksan hydropower plant.

Technical facilities at the Baksan hydropower plant were not damaged, and energy flows to communities in the region continue without interruption. An emergency headquarters headed by Deputy Minister of Energy Andrei Shishkin has been established at the Energy Ministry to monitor the situation around the hydropower plant.