Kolenergo says in a press release that 2008 investments totalled 493 million RUB, of which a major share was spent on the upgrades of the grid lines to the three border towns.
The Pechenga Rayon, located along the border to Norway and Finland is a major power consumer because of its nickel plants operated by Norilsk Nickel subsidiary Kolskaya GMK.
Also major sums were spent on the improved power access to the city of Murmansk and on upgrades of the grid leading to Varzuga on the White Sea coast. Kolenergo is a power supply company operating more than 2000 km of grid lines in Murmansk Oblast.
The company was established as specialized grid company October 1 2005 as part of the major Russian energy reform. Since April 2008, the company is part of the Inter-regional Northwest Distribution Company.
