IDGC of Centre conducts systematic work on the formation of non-tariff sources of financing for its activities. This need is caused by the current macroeconomic situation and acting tariff limitations of funding sources in the Russian fuel and energy sector since last year. The Company and its subsidiaries carry out a set of measures designed to compensate for the shortfall of funds in this connection and ensure compliance with all key parameters of the investment program.
Significant experience in this field has been accumulated by IDGC of Centre - Yarenergo division, which implements in the Yaroslavl region a number of significant projects in non-core activities. Their success is largely due to the fact that the energy company was able to establish constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation with the authorities of the region.
In Yaroslavl the branch of IDGC of Centre is implementing a project for the development of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. It is about an electric bus, the route of which takes place at the historical centre of the city - in the area of UNESCO where travel of conventional vehicles is limited. For Yaroslavl, which is one of the key points of the tourist route Golden Ring of Russia, the presence of such a transport service is particularly relevant: electric buses will help make more comfortable access for guests to major attractions and historical sites, located in the heart of the regional centre. Currently, the power company has installed three charging stations, five are ready to be installed. Locations for the further expansion of their networks are being determined.
Another major project, which the Yaroslavl branch of IDGC of Centre plans to participate in, is modernization of street lighting in Yaroslavl. Within the framework of implementation of Federal Law № 261 "On energy saving and energy efficiency improvement and on amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation" it is planned to replace all street lighting fixtures (about 28,000 units) operating in the regional centre with new, energy-efficient ones. It is estimated that this will reduce electricity consumption by 30-50%. The authorities of Yaroslavl are defining an implementation plan and the amount of funding for these activities.
The Yaroslavl branch of IDGC of Centre also uses other means of attracting non-tariff funding. In particular, the energy company was able to negotiate with the regional authorities to subsidize from the regional budget in the framework of the regional target program "Development of the industry of the Yaroslavl region and increase its competitiveness in 2014-2016" the cost of training employees and certification of products.
As part of IDGC of Centre’s implemented strategy the Yaroslavl experience of working with executive authorities to obtain non-tariff sources of financing of the company’s activity is planned to be distributed in other branches. The corresponding decision was taken at the last meeting of the formed in IDGC of Centre working group to review initiatives and lessons learned, received by its branches as a result of their activities, with a view to replication in all regions of the company’s service area.