Norilsk Nickel upgrades generating capacities

MMC Norilsk Nickel announced the start of modernization program targeted at the Company’s energy assets, which will be implemented as part of the Group’s 2025 production and technical development strategy (approved by the Board of Directors on October 27).

In particular, the Strategy envisages improved efficiency and reliable performance of the Company’s energy system through reconstruction of power generation plants (Heat Electric Generation Plants 1, 2 and 3, Ust-Khantaysk Hydro Power Plant) as well as modernization of primary and secondary energy equipment.

Additionally, as part of the strategy the Company aims to ensure energy security and operational stability of the energy system as well as maximum utilization of electric energy generated by Kureysk and Ust-Khantaysk Hydro Power Plants, while at the same time reducing generation of energy using power condensing mode at Heat Electric Generation Plants. Commissioning of new facilities enables the Company to increase the energy reception from hydroelectric power plant chain up to 700 mWt by 2014.

Overall, the Company will invest $2.1 billion in its energy facilities.

According to Igor Klochko, the General Director of Taimyrenergo, JSC (subsidiary of MMC Norilsk Nickel), implementation of this comprehensive energy assets’ modernization project will improve the efficiency of the energy system and ensure safety and energy stability in Norilsk industrial region.

About Norilsk Nickel:

MMC Norilsk Nickel, a company incorporated under the laws of the Russian Federation, is the largest diversified mining and metals company in Russia, the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium and one of the world's largest producers of platinum, rhodium, copper and cobalt. In addition to this, MMC Norilsk Nickel produces a large number of other by-products, including gold, silver, tellurium, selenium, iridium and ruthenium.

The key production units of the Company’s group in Russia are at the Polar and Kola Peninsulas. MMC Norilsk Nickel international assets include operations in Finland, Australia, Botswana and South Africa.