A new crisis in energy and utilities has begun in Russia.

The Russian government has postponed the modernization of 14 thermal power plants

The Russian government has delayed the modernization and restoration of critical infrastructure facilities - 14 thermal power plants with a total capacity of 4.1 GW. The reason is delays in the supply of critically important equipment, a significant part of which was previously imported, as well as a reduction in funding, reported the Foreign Intelligence Service.

Among the facilities whose modernization has been postponed are key generating capacities controlled by giants such as 'Inter RAO' and 'Unipro'. In particular, the commissioning of new units at Iriklinskaya, Nizhnevartovskaya, and Perm TPPs, as well as at Surgut TPP-2, has been postponed for at least three years. Similar delays affected Kostromskaya TPP and a number of Bashkir facilities.

'Despite the equipment shortage, priority in the supply of equipment will be given to power plants in regions where the most acute generation shortages are expected, particularly in Yakutia and Rostov region. The reduction in available generation volumes has led to an increase in prices both in the Russian electricity market and in general in the housing and utilities sector. It is planned that this year utility rates in Russia will be increased on average by 11.9%,' noted the foreign intelligence service.

In addition, the postponement of modernization creates risks for the reliability of energy supply in a number of key industrial regions, including Orenburg, Kostroma, and Tyumen regions, as well as the Republic of Bashkortostan.

The deadlines set for the modernization of thermal power plants in Russia have been delayed due to supply problems and reduced funding. This may lead to negative consequences for the reliability of energy supply in certain regions of the country.