Russia may build $1 bln 500 kV power transmission line to Mongolia

ST. PETERSBURG, Jun 5 (PRIME) -- Russia may build an about U.S. $1 billion 500 kilovolt (kV) power transmission line to Mongolia, as seen by PRIME in materials of federal grid company Rosseti late on June 2.

“The cost of construction of an up to 790 megawatt (MW) hydropower plant in Mongolia stands at about $1.9 billion, and capital expenditures are expected at $1.6–3.9 million per 1 MW excluding spending on grid construction. The cost of construction of the 500 kV power transmission line Russia–Mongolia–Russia that will secure the same level of consumption will amount to about $1 billion, or $1 million per MW,” the materials read.

Mongolia plans to build a dam on the Selenga River which flows into the Lake Baikal, but Russia has repeatedly warned about significant ecological risks of the project and expressed readiness to compensate the lack of power in the country. In April, Rosseti CEO Oleg Budargin said Russia suggested construction of an air power transmission line with a capacity of 500 kV or higher to transfer 1 gigawatt of power.

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