Electricity Exports to China Could Help Keep Lid on Prices in Far East

KHABAROVSK. Feb 14 (Interfax) – Khabarovsk Governor Viktor Ishayev has suggested containing the growth in the price of electricity in the Russian Far East through electricity exports to China.

“If they [energy companies] make much money by selling electricity [to China and use the profits to ensure sustainable development and investment, local electricity charges won’t grow much. We would welcome the success of this mechanism,” he said on Thursday.

First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered the Energy and Industry Ministry to consider the option at the Khabarovsk conference on regional affairs, Ishayev said.

“We do not mind their selling electricity to China even cheaper than here. Why? Because their profit can be invested in the development of energy companies and not included in local electricity charges,” he said.

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