"In 2010, Russia created the largest amount of power capacity in the last 10 years and this year we'll double this amount to reach 6.2 GW," Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said during his visit to the station. He noted that St Petersburg will make a meaningful contribution to the plan to create new power capacity in Russia.

Vladimir Putin was told that the combination of gas and steam turbines at the South-West Thermal Power Station will make it possible to bring thermal efficiency to 85%.

Under the plan, the second stage of the station will be put into operation in 2014.

The prime minister said that launching new power capacity in St Petersburg will make it possible to step up the development of construction and industry.