English

Russia restores power deliveries to Belarus

Russia's Inter RAO UES on Saturday evening restored electricity deliveries to Belarus, Russian media outlets reported with reference to the company's spokesman.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin on July 2 to restore electricity exports to Belarus.

"Considering that Minsk has fulfilled its financial obligations, the president gave an order to restore deliveries of electricity to the Belarusian side in accordance with the contracts currently in effect," RIA Novosti quoted Natalya Timakova, spokeswoman for the Russian president, as saying.

Lyudmila Zyankovich, aide to the Belarusian energy minister, said on Friday that Belarus' debt of 611 million Russian rubles had been repaid to Inter RAO UES “ahead of schedule.” Under an agreement, the debt was to be paid off in three installments before July 5.

On June 9, Inter RAO UES cut in half electricity exports to Belarus because of its failure to pay outstanding bills for deliveries in March and April. Deliveries were restored to the full volume several days later, but were halted on June 29. //BelaPAN