Russia’s deputy prime minister has sought to play down media reports that have raised speculation about the possible removal of Siberia’s Sayano-Shushenskaya hydro power plant from Unified Energy System (UES) control.
According to Alexander Zhukov, the case is subject to court proceedings, and a government decision is not to be made until the hearings are over.
The Reuters news agency first reported last week that it had seen a letter from Zhukov instructing economic development and trade minister German Gref to transfer the facility to state property in accordance with the ruling of the East Siberian Federal Arbitration Court.
Earlier this year, the Court ruled in favour of Alexei Lebed – governor of Khakasia, where the plant is located – who claimed Sayano-Shushenskaya had been transferred to UES control without the region being consulted.
UES has decided to appeal the decision in the High Arbitration Court, according to reports in the Russian media.
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