Russia to supply power to China.

June 26, 1997 Russia and China are negotiating a $ 1.5-billion joint project for supplies of Russian-produced electricity to China, head of Russia's Irkutskenergo stock company Viktor Borovsky. According to Borovsky, due to conversion and sharp decrease in the electricity consumption in Russia, the Irkutsk region alone over-produces 20 billion kWh annually, while China's northern and north-eastern provinces are facing chronic shortages of electric power.
This spring's talks in Beijing were followed by the setting up of a joint working group to address the issue, Borovsky said, adding that the sides have already agreed on key technical, economic and organisational aspects of the project. There is every technical means needed for the project's implementation, including equipment ensuring safe and efficient electricity transmission from the Irkutsk region to China, he said. In his words, one of the options to ensure electricity supplies is installation of an electricity transmission line for direct current running from Bratsk to Beijing or Shenyang via Mongolia with the total length of 2,000-2,300 km.
"We proceed from the necessity to attract loan capital of foreign investors, as well as to create an international joint-stock company with the participation of Russia, China and sponsor organisations," Borovsky said, adding that electricity transmissions from Russia are planned for at least 25 years.