Client: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) 
Dates: 2003 - 2004
Country of assignment: Russia

Description of actual services provided:

Encon staff was responsible for the development of a least-cost plan and Priority Investment Program for rehabilitation and modernization of the district heating (DH) system in Ulan Ude, Russia, under contract to EBRD. The district heating system is over 60 years old, is rapidly deteriorating, and is extremely inefficient. The main objectives of this project were to: identify and evaluate a priority rehabilitation Program for the DH system and compare it with alternative heating options, determine the long term least cost solution in Ulan-Ude for the provision of heating and hot water services, and develop the investment plan for a selected priority investment program and necessary reforms for its implementation. Project activities included in part: 

• Development of a 10-15 year load forecast for heat and hot water demand
• Review and analyze the applicability of new network connections, merging the local networks with the centralized district heating network and extensions for optimum operation of the present or planned future heat sources and establish the economic and financial costs for the proposal
• Identify and develop the needs of investments in new, compact heat substations at building levels
• Identify and develop the needs for investments in heat production systems (central heating plants and local boiler houses) in order to improve the efficiency and reliability of the systems
• Prepare a priority, short-term (2003-2007) Investment Program 
• Prepare a Procurement and Implementation Plan including detailed plans for the contracting, financing and implementation of the Investment Program