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Joint Stock Company Inter RAO UES (Russian: Публичное акционерное общество «ИНТЕР РАО ЕЭС», short form: Inter RAO), traded as, is a diversified energy holding company headquartered in Moscow, Russia. Its business includes power and heat generation, electricity supply, international energy trading, engineering, design and development of electric power infrastructure. In addition to its assets in Russia it controls several energy companies outside Russia including thermal and hydro power plants, grid operators and energy traders. It holds a monopoly on the export and import of electricity in Russia.[2]

Key Information

Inter RAO is one of the largest Russian public energy companies by market capitalization which exceeded US$10.5 billion at the end of 2011.[3] In fiscal year 2011 the company reported a revenue of US$18.24 bn (versus US$15.28 bn in 2010) and net income of $1.41 billion (vs $614 million in 2010).[4] At the end of 2011, Inter RAO Group had more than 47,000 employees. In 2021, the company's revenue amounted to 89 billion rubles.[5]

History

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Inter RAO was established in 1997 as a subsidiary of the Russian unified power company RAO UES. Its initial focus was international energy trading.[6]

In 2002, Inter RAO started exporting electricity from Russia and generating its own electricity.

In 2005, Inter RAO made several acquisitions:

In early 2008, Inter RAO obtainted listings on the Russian stock exchanges MICEX and RTS. As a part of its reorganization, Inter RAO received several Russian power generation facilities including Sochi Thermal Power Plant, North-West Thermal Power Plant, Ivanovo CCPP and Kaliningrad CHPP-2. In the same year, Inter RAO purchased the remaining 49% stake in the Cuciurgan power station.[7]

In following years, the Government of Russia transferred the power companies shares remaining after the reform of RAO UES in the property of state-owned companies RusHydro, FGC UES, Rosimushchestvo, and Rosneftegaz to Inter RAO. That included transfer of 41% stake in Irkutskenergo, 65.8% of OGK-1, 3.24% of OGK-4, 26.43% of OGK-5, 24.9% of TGC-6, 34.21% of TGC-7, 30.54% of TGC-11, 20.24% of Kuzbassenergo, 21.27% of Bashkirenergo, 14.48% of Sangtuda 1 Hydroelectric Power Plant (in Tajikistan), and 100% of Razdan Thermal Power Plant (in Armenia).[8][9]

In 2009, Inter RAO shares were included in the MSCI EM Index. In the end of 2009, INTER RAO was ranked fifth in Standard & Poor's informational transparency rating of the Russian energy companies.[10]

In June 2018, board member Karina Tsurkan was arrested by the Federal Security Service, on allegations of spying on behalf of Romania.[11]

On 13 May 2022, Inter RAO subsidiary RAO Nordic announced to suspend deliveries of electricity to Finland and stopped them at midnight. The announcement came one day after Finland's president Sauli Niinistö and prime minister Sanna Marin had expressed their support for Finnish membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).[12][13] The move fits an ongoing pattern of economic sanctions and counter-sanctions in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Shareholders

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Major shareholders of Inter RAO are Russian state-owned entities. As of August 2018, shareholders of Inter RAO were:[14]

  • Rosneftegaz - 27.63%
  • FGC UES - 9.24%
  • Inter RAO Capital - 29.39%
  • Freely traded (minority shareholders) - 33.74%

Boris Kovalchuk is the CEO of Inter RAO.[15]

Operations

[edit]

Electricity generation

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Combined installed capacity of power plants operated by Inter RAO Group is approximately 28 GW.[16] Inter RAO UES controls the following power generation assets.

North-West Thermal Power Plant, St.Petersburg

Russian power generating assets

Asset Location Capacity
INTER RAO - Electric Power Plants Russia 2283 MW
OGK-1 Russia 9861 MW
OGK-3 Russia 8357 MW
TGK-11 Russia 1971 MW
Ivanovo CCPP Russia 110 MW
Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station, Kazakhstan

Power generation assets in other countries

Asset Location Capacity
Hrazdan TPP Armenia 1110 MW
Mtkvari TPP Georgia 600 MW
Khrami HPP-1 Georgia 112,8 MW
Khrami HPP-2 Georgia 114,4 MW
Ekibastuz GRES-2 Power Station Kazakhstan 1000 MW
Cuciurgan power station Moldova 2520 MW
Vydmantai Wind Park Lithuania 30 MW
Sangtuda 1 Hydroelectric Power Plant Tajikistan 670 MW

Trading

[edit]

The main export markets for INTER RAO are Finland, Lithuania and Belarus.[17]

The following Inter RAO subsidiaries are responsible for international energy trading:

From October 2021, Inter RAO has increased supplying electricity to China by 90% up from planned amount, within the terms of the 25-year agreement of 2012 with State Grid Corporation of China.[18] At the end of the same month, China sent out a call to “Inter RAO” for nearly double current amounts of supplies of electricity by the end of the year 2021. According to Alexandra Panina, member of the board of “Inter RAO”, the request of Chinese partners will be ratified almost completely.[19]

In October 2021, Inter RAO announced electricity commercial supplies to Kazakhstan in November, due to its "inhouse" deficiency in this country.[20]

On May 14, 2022, RAO Nordic released a statement saying they were halting the import of power into Finland due to lack of payment. Power transmission halted at 2200 GMT May 14, 2022.[21]

Power supply

[edit]

Inter RAO Group operates seven Russian power supply companies.[22]

Asset Location
Moscow Power Supply Company Moscow, Russia
St. Petersburg Power Supply Company St. Petersburg, Russia
Altai Power Supply Company Altai Krai, Russia
Saratovenergo Saratov Oblast, Russia
Tambov Power Supply Company Tambov Oblast, Russia
INTER RAO - Oryol Power Supply Company Oryol Oblast Russia
RN Energo Moscow, Russia
Power Grids of Armenia Armenia
Telasi Georgia

Electric power distribution grids

[edit]

INTER RAO Group controls two distribution grid companies in South Caucasus, Power Grids of Armenia and Telasi.[citation needed]

Asset Location Grid Length Number of consumers, thousands
Power Grids of Armenia Armenia 30 335 km 950
Telasi Georgia 3 930 km 466.9

Engineering

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Inter RAO develops its engineering business as a key component of its integrated business model. In engineering, Inter RAO plans to focus on design of energy infrastructure, coordination of construction, delivery and installation of equipment; installation, configuration and maintenance services; and manufacturing of boiler and turbine equipment. The company asserts that these initiatives of its engineering business will help Inter RAO secure at least 20% of thermal power plant engineering, construction and equipment market.[23] List of main engineering businesses within Inter RAO Group:

Asset Location Profile
INTER RAO-Engineering Russia Coordination of Group's engineering projects
Quartz Group Russia Construction of infrastructure facilities, all types of energy equipment repairs
Dominanta Group Russia Construction and operation of small generators
Joint Venture with GE and UK ODK Russia Manufacturing and sales of gas turbines
Joint Venture with WorleyParsons Russia Import of leading edge technologies to Russia

References

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Inter RAO

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Public Joint Stock Company Inter RAO UES (PJSC Inter RAO) is a diversified Russian energy focused on the , trading, supply, and of and . Established in 1997 as a of RAO United Energy Systems of (RAO UES), the company initially concentrated on international electricity trading before expanding into domestic and sales. Headquartered in , Inter RAO operates power plants and related assets across , , and the (CIS), with a workforce supporting extensive energy infrastructure. As Russia's sole authorized operator for imports and exports, Inter RAO plays a pivotal role in cross-border energy flows, supplying power to neighboring countries including , , , and others, though volumes have faced pressures from geopolitical shifts and supply constraints in recent years. The Russian state maintains significant control through , its principal shareholder holding approximately 27% of shares, underscoring the company's strategic importance to national . Inter RAO's operations encompass conventional power stations, services, and trading on wholesale markets, contributing to Russia's position as a major exporter despite declining volumes amid domestic demand growth and .

History

Founding and Early Development (1997–2000s)

Inter RAO, formally Inter RAO UES, was established on , 1997, as a of RAO UES of , an initially tasked with managing the country's imports and exports. Its founding aligned with 's post-Soviet sector reforms, focusing on international trading, including projects to trade non-Russian in foreign markets and the creation of initial subsidiaries in overseas and capacity markets. By late 1997, the company commenced independent exports from and initiated generation activities via a leased unit at Iriklinskaya TPP. Early expansion in the 2000s emphasized capacity buildup and market entry. In 2000, Severo-Zapadnaya TPP (900 MW capacity) was commissioned, marking a shift toward domestic generation assets, while Artamonov joined to oversee trading operations. By 2003, Inter RAO had broadened into proper; Sochinskaya TPP (158 MW) followed in 2004. In 2001, it launched trading initiatives with foreign , and by 2002, exports had formalized, supporting cross-border flows amid RAO UES's monopoly structure. The mid-2000s saw accelerated international acquisitions to secure export routes and generation bases. Installed capacity hit 19.2 GW by 2005, driven by the purchase of Moldova TPP (2,520 MW), enabling supplies to , , and , alongside entry into via Electric Networks of Armenia and HrazTES. In 2007, Eastern Energy Company was founded for exports to and , and TGR Enerji was acquired in under a build-operate-transfer deal (478 MW, expiring 2019 or extendable to 2046). By 2008, as RAO UES restructured, Inter RAO adopted a model for efficiency, commissioned Ivanovskiye CPP (325 MW), and pursued stakes in and Georgia. These moves positioned it as a diversified exporter, with state ties via RAO UES influencing asset consolidation.

Liberalization and Expansion (2010s)

In the early 2010s, Inter RAO benefited from the maturation of Russia's liberalization, which culminated in the full transition to a competitive wholesale (WEM) by January 2011, enabling freer trading and pricing mechanisms following the 2006-2010 phased reforms that dismantled the RAO UES monopoly. As the designated operator for exports and imports, Inter RAO expanded its trading volumes, projecting up to 30% growth in exports for 2010 amid improved cross-border agreements, such as daily planning protocols with . Domestically, the company consolidated generation assets through state transfers, receiving federal stakes in facilities like the Verkhnetulomskaya and Verkhne-Tulomskaya hydroelectric plants, boosting its total installed capacity to around 18,000 MW by late 2010. This was formalized by a in 2010, aligning with capacity supply agreements (CSA) launched that year to incentivize investments, which spurred over 100 new projects across the sector in the subsequent nine years. Inter RAO pursued international expansion to leverage liberalized regional markets, acquiring the second block of the CHP-2 plant from in June 2011 and negotiating for European assets, including a potential cash purchase of 's Maritsa East 3 coal-fired plant in . In April 2010, it signed a broad cooperation pact with , encompassing joint development of a nuclear power unit in to enhance in the isolated enclave. The company also explored asset swaps with for German facilities and for Dutch plants, using its stake in OGK-4 as leverage, while targeting further operations in the CIS and Baltics. These moves positioned Inter RAO as a key player in Eurasian energy flows, with 2010 generation reaching 8,979.1 million kWh across its plants. Financial performance reflected this growth, with Inter RAO reporting a net profit of €290 million ($414 million) for 2010, reversing prior losses through higher trading margins and asset efficiencies in the liberalized environment. However, by mid-2012, geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties prompted a strategic retreat from aggressive foreign acquisitions, shifting focus to domestic optimization and maintenance of existing overseas positions, such as in and . This period marked Inter RAO's evolution from a primarily trading entity to an integrated generator-trader, though state involvement via asset transfers underscored the incomplete nature of full market deregulation.

Recent Strategic Shifts (2020–Present)

In December 2020, Inter RAO outlined its medium-term development strategy through 2025, with projections to 2030, emphasizing expansion in , trading, and engineering while aiming to strengthen its position as a key player in regional energy markets. This pre-war plan included investments in capacity growth and international exports, particularly to via Baltic routes. However, Russia's invasion of in February 2022 prompted abrupt adjustments, as Western sanctions and payment disruptions led to the suspension of exports to in May 2022 and the effective loss of Baltic markets, where countries like , , and banned Russian electricity imports. To mitigate these losses, Inter RAO redirected export efforts toward and (CIS) countries, with emerging as the primary destination, receiving 1.4 TWh in the first half of 2025 alone, accounting for a significant portion of total exports alongside and . Exports to saw initial price increases agreed upon in 2023 but later declined sharply—by about 70% in 2024 to 0.9 billion kWh and further by 44% in early 2025 due to domestic supply constraints in —reflecting a pragmatic pivot to reliable, non-sanctioned buyers amid overall export volumes falling 12.6% in the first half of 2025. Domestically, the company prioritized consolidation in , completing major asset acquisitions and targeting full integration by the end of 2025, while forecasting modest generation growth of 1-2% for the year. Selective international engagements persisted in allied regions, including discussions for a 500 MW power plant in Kyrgyzstan's Chaldovar district as of September 2025 and design work for Mongolia's capacity expansion. These moves underscore a strategic recalibration toward resilient, proximate markets and domestic , with no evident shift toward low-carbon transitions, as 98.5% of capacity remained fossil-based per 2021 assessments that held through subsequent reporting. Financially, Inter RAO maintained stability, projecting 2024 results comparable to 2023's net profit of 135.9 billion rubles, without altering core share management strategies.

Ownership and Governance

Major Shareholders and State Involvement

Inter RAO's ownership is dominated by state-controlled entities, reflecting significant Russian government influence over its strategic decisions. As of late March 2024, , a fully state-owned , held a 27.63% stake, making it the largest external . Inter RAO Capital, a wholly owned functioning as a vehicle for treasury shares, controlled 29.56% of the company's voting shares, effectively consolidating control within the group. Federal Grid Company (FGC UES), now integrated under —a state-majority-owned transmission operator—possessed an 8.57% stake as of the same period, further entrenching state involvement in governance and operations. itself, with approximately 88% state ownership, amplifies this through its subsidiary holdings and historical ties to Inter RAO's grid-related activities. Combined, these state-linked entities exceed 35% of shares excluding treasury holdings, enabling veto power over key resolutions under Russian . The structure underscores Inter RAO's alignment with national energy priorities, as evidenced by its role in export deals and infrastructure projects coordinated with state directives. While minority institutional investors, including foreign funds like , hold smaller portions (collectively under 10%), their influence is diluted by the concentrated state bloc. No major shifts in core were reported through mid-2025, with management signaling intent to preserve this framework amid geopolitical pressures.

Corporate Structure and Management

PJSC Inter RAO UES operates as a public under Russian , featuring a dual governance framework with a providing strategic supervision and a Board executing operational decisions. The , elected by shareholders, oversees major policies, , and executive appointments, while the Board handles daily administration, financial reporting, and . Igor Sechin has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since at least 2022, bringing extensive experience from state-linked energy and security sectors. Other board members include non-executive directors such as Denis Fedorov, contributing to oversight amid significant state influence in the company's ownership. The Management Board is chaired by Sergey Dregval, who was appointed and Chairman on March 14, 2024, replacing Boris Kovalchuk after his 14-year tenure since 2010. Dregval, previously Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg, leads a team including deputy chairmen and functional heads for finance, operations, and legal affairs. This leadership transition occurred amid strategic shifts in response to geopolitical pressures and domestic energy priorities. The corporate structure centers on Inter RAO UES as the holding entity, controlling subsidiaries focused on , trading, export-import monopoly operations, and services, with over 60,000 employees across the group as of recent reports. International branches in countries like , , and support cross-border activities. practices emphasize compliance with Russian federal laws and requirements, including annual assessments of internal controls.

Core Operations in Russia

Electricity Generation Assets

Inter RAO's electricity generation assets in Russia consist primarily of fossil fuel-based thermal power plants, including combined heat and power (CHP) facilities and state district power stations (GRES), with a total installed electric capacity of 31.2 GW as of March 2025. These assets are operated mainly through the subsidiary LLC Inter RAO - Electric Power Plants, which consolidated former OGK-3 capacities in 2012 and manages a portfolio focused on efficient, large-scale generation for the wholesale electricity market. The company's generation mix is dominated by natural gas and coal, accounting for nearly all output, with minimal renewable contributions. Key assets include the Kostromskaya GRES in the region, a coal-fired facility with 3,630 MW capacity commissioned starting in 1969 and serving as one of Russia's largest thermal plants. Other major stations under Inter RAO - Plants encompass the Cherepetskaya GRES (450 MW, , operational since the Soviet era with ongoing upgrades), Yuzhnouralskaya GRES (, gas- and coal-fired units), Pechorskaya GRES (, approximately 800 MW coal capacity), Gusinoozerskaya GRES (, around 1,200 MW), and Kharanorskaya GRES (, 670 MW coal-fired). This subsidiary oversees 21 plants totaling about 21.5 GW, emphasizing modernization to boost efficiency and reliability. Additional generation capacity comes from subsidiaries like Bashkir Generation Company LLC, which operates thermal plants in with combined electric and heat output supporting regional industry. In 2024, Inter RAO augmented capacity at five plants through upgrades, equipment additions, and new connections, contributing to a 5.9% rise in output to 97.177 billion kWh for the first nine months. Installed thermal capacity stood at 25 GW in early 2025, with electricity production reaching 36.22 billion kWh in the first quarter, up 0.6% year-on-year amid favorable market conditions. These assets prioritize baseload supply, with heat generation capacity of around 25,200 Gcal/h supporting in served regions.

Trading and Market Activities

Inter RAO PJSC serves as the exclusive operator for imports and exports in , maintaining a statutory monopoly on cross-border power flows as designated by federal regulation. This role positions the company as the sole intermediary between the domestic wholesale and capacity market () and international counterparts, facilitating all inbound and outbound transactions. Domestically, Inter RAO acts as a major trader within the , participating in day-ahead, intraday, balancing, and forward markets operated by the Non-Discriminatory Market Pricing Mechanism (NDMPM) administered by the System Operator and Joint Settlement Center. The company's trading activities encompass bilateral contracts, exchange-based trades, and capacity auctions, with a focus on optimizing generation surpluses and covering deficits across Russia's unified energy system. In 2024, export volumes totaled approximately 8.5 billion kWh, directed primarily to neighboring countries including (1.4 TWh in early 2025) and (0.2 TWh in the same period), amid constraints from reduced hydroelectric output and heightened domestic demand. Imports, sourced mainly from CIS nations, support peak load balancing and regional shortages. For the first half of 2025, exports declined 12.6% year-on-year to 3.075 billion kWh, reflecting geopolitical tensions, sanctions-related logistics challenges, and shifts in regional supply dynamics. Trading revenues contribute significantly to Inter RAO's overall performance, leveraging the company's integrated position across generation, transmission interfaces, and market mechanisms. In the first nine months of 2024, while exports fell 33.5% to 5.55 billion kWh, imports increased 12.7% to 1.6 billion kWh, underscoring adaptive strategies in volatile pricing environments influenced by fuel costs and cross-border agreements. These operations are governed by long-term intergovernmental protocols, such as those with and , ensuring stable volumes despite external pressures.

Power Supply and Distribution Networks

Inter RAO conducts power supply operations in primarily through its retail electricity sales segment, which encompasses guaranteeing suppliers obligated to serve consumers in regions lacking alternative providers. This segment facilitates electricity delivery to residential, commercial, and industrial customers via contracts with wholesale market participants and grid operators. In , the company expanded its retail footprint by acquiring sales entities such as Pskovenergosbyt and Yekaterinburgenergosbyt, enhancing its market presence in northwestern and Urals regions. Retail volumes reached 161.2 billion kWh in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 4.9% increase from the prior year, driven by higher consumption and portfolio growth. These operations span multiple regions, with Inter RAO managing eight companies as of earlier assessments, serving approximately 11 territories through last-resort supply mechanisms. Sales are integrated with the Russian wholesale electricity market, where Inter RAO acts as both a trader and supplier, ensuring regulated pricing and reliability for captive customers. Inter RAO maintains limited direct ownership of distribution networks—such as transmission and local grids—within , where infrastructure is predominantly controlled by entities like , the state-dominated grid operator. The company's domestic role emphasizes supply logistics over physical asset ownership, relying on access to existing grids for delivery. Internationally, Inter RAO oversees distribution grids in select foreign markets, but Russian operations prioritize integration, trading, and retail fulfillment without substantial grid investments.

Engineering and Equipment Manufacturing

Inter RAO's engineering activities are primarily conducted through its subsidiary LLC Inter RAO – Engineering, which specializes in , , upgrading, and renovation of facilities both in and internationally. The division provides comprehensive services encompassing design, procurement, , and commissioning of power plants, with a focus on thermal, hydroelectric, and projects. These efforts support the group's capacity delivery agreements and initiatives, including equipment supply and technical oversight for foreign developments. In equipment manufacturing, Inter RAO has expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions to integrate production of key power generation components. On August 16, 2024, the company acquired 98.4% of NPO ELSIB PJSC, a Novosibirsk-based manufacturer specializing in the design and production of hydroelectric and turbine generators, as well as induction and synchronous motors for industrial applications. This acquisition enhances Inter RAO's vertical integration in turbine technology, previously controlled by SUEK affiliates. In January 2025, Inter RAO completed the purchase of the Mezhregionenergoservice (MES) Production Association group, a major producer of boiler equipment based in the Altai Territory, enabling in-house design, manufacturing, and installation of steam and hot-water boilers for thermal power plants. Additional manufacturing involvement includes stakes in joint ventures for advanced equipment. In October 2022, Inter RAO acquired a 65% interest from Siemens Energy in STGT LLC, a partnership with Power Machines focused on gas turbine services and components. Earlier, in 2011, the group participated in a joint venture with General Electric and Rostec to produce up to 14 gas turbines annually, supporting domestic localization of turbine manufacturing. These assets collectively bolster Inter RAO's ability to supply generators, boilers, and turbines, reducing reliance on external suppliers amid geopolitical constraints on imports. In May 2021, the acquisition of 11 specialized construction and engineering firms further strengthened project execution capabilities in equipment-related builds.

International Activities

Export Operations and Key Markets

Inter RAO serves as the exclusive operator for Russia's exports and imports, managing cross-border power flows through interconnected grids with neighboring countries. The company's activities primarily involve trading surplus generated in Russia, leveraging its position in regional markets. In 2024, total reached 8.53 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), marking a 17.6% decline from prior levels, largely attributable to the cessation of supplies to European markets following Western sanctions imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of . further decreased by 12.6% in the first half of 2025 to 3.075 billion kWh, reflecting constrained opportunities amid geopolitical tensions and reduced demand from certain partners. Kazakhstan has emerged as Inter RAO's largest export market, accounting for approximately 54% of Russia's electricity exports in 2024. In the first half of 2025, supplies to totaled 1.4 terawatt-hours (TWh), underscoring its dominance due to integrated grid infrastructure and Kazakhstan's domestic energy shortages. has also grown in significance, with exports to the country contributing to over 50% of total volumes alongside Kazakhstan in early 2025. Mongolia represents another key destination, receiving around 16% of Russia's exports in the first half of 2025, supported by bilateral agreements and Mongolia's reliance on imported power for and industrial needs. Exports to , once a growing avenue via the grid interconnection, have sharply declined—dropping 75% in early 2023 and remaining low at 0.2 TWh in the first half of 2025—due to Chinese import duties and capacity constraints. Inter RAO anticipates a further 4% overall reduction in 2025, primarily from lower volumes to , while seeking to expand to alternative markets like and Georgia through ongoing grid synchronization efforts.

Foreign Subsidiaries and Investments

Inter RAO's foreign subsidiaries and investments are concentrated in select (CIS) markets, emphasizing electricity distribution, generation, and trading activities. The company's international footprint has contracted since 2022 due to Western sanctions and market exclusions, leading to the suspension or divestment of European operations, while retaining assets in Georgia, , and . In Georgia, Inter RAO indirectly owns 75% of Telasi JSC, the primary electricity distributor serving Tbilisi and surrounding areas with over 1 million customers, through its Netherlands-based subsidiary Silk Road Holding B.V. The company also controls hydropower generation assets via Gardabani Holdings B.V., including the Khramhesi 1 (75 MW) and Khramhesi 2 (130 MW) plants on the Kura River. These holdings stem from acquisitions dating to 2003, when Inter RAO purchased Telasi from AES Corporation. In August 2025, an International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) tribunal upheld a $76 million damages award to Inter RAO's Georgian subsidiaries against the government, arising from regulatory disputes over tariffs and asset valuations. Inter RAO maintains generation capacity in through CJSC Moldova TPP, which operates the Cuciurgan combined cycle power plant with 2,520 MW installed capacity in the region, primarily fueled by and serving local and export needs. This asset was consolidated into the group's portfolio as part of efforts to secure cross-border power supplies. In , the company holds a stake in JSC Ekibastuz TPP-2, a 1,000 MW coal-fired station, supporting regional energy integration. Recent investment plans include contracts signed in prior years for constructing three additional thermal power plants in , , and Ust-Kamenogorsk, valued at approximately $2.7 billion, though progress has stalled due to financing constraints amid international restrictions. Trading-focused subsidiaries operate in and residual CIS markets like , facilitating electricity imports and exports, though volumes have declined. Inter RAO divested from in 2015, selling Electric Networks of Armenia CJSC to Tashir Group for $500 million amid operational losses and debt accumulation exceeding $200 million. Similarly, Baltic subsidiaries—including INTER RAO Lietuva, , and Eesti—ceased trading on in May 2022 following sanctions, with full grid disconnection from occurring in February 2025. No significant new foreign investments have been announced since 2021 plans for expanded market entry, reflecting heightened geopolitical risks.

Geopolitical Challenges and Controversies

Sanctions Impacts and Responses

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of on February 24, 2022, Inter RAO faced indirect but substantial impacts from Western sanctions and related geopolitical measures targeting Russia's energy sector, primarily through the curtailment of exports to European markets. European buyers, including Finland's Fingrid, which suspended imports in May 2022, and the —Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—halted purchases amid directives and national security concerns, severing key revenue streams that accounted for approximately 7% of the company's total pre-invasion revenue. The pan-European power exchange also ceased trading Russian imported via Inter RAO in the Baltics, exacerbating the isolation from Western grids. These disruptions contributed to a broader contraction in Russia's exports, with Inter RAO reporting a 17.6% decline to 8.53 billion kilowatt-hours in 2024, down from higher pre-war levels that exceeded 10 billion kilowatt-hours annually. Financially, the export segment suffered, as evidenced by Inter RAO's lowered 2024 export forecast by 35% due to lost European volumes and subsequent challenges in alternative markets, though overall company performance remained resilient owing to its dominant domestic operations, which generate the bulk of under regulated Russian pricing. Net profit reached 135.9 billion rubles on 1.36 rubles in under IFRS for 2023, with similar results anticipated for 2024, reflecting limited direct exposure to foreign-denominated (around 8%) and minimal reliance on sanctioned Western financing. However, credit rating agencies like Fitch downgraded Inter RAO to 'CC' in March 2022, citing Russian capital controls and service restrictions that indirectly stemmed from sanctions-induced financial isolation, complicating access to international capital markets. Subsidiaries such as AB "INTER RAO Lietuva" in faced direct asset freezes and sanctions, forcing divestitures or operational wind-downs in EU jurisdictions. In response, Inter RAO pivoted export efforts toward "friendly" Asian markets, particularly , , and Central Asian states, leveraging existing interconnections like the Russia- power line operationalized in 2018 to offset European losses. Exports to were ramped up post-2022, though volumes later declined due to regional supply constraints in Russia's and softer Chinese demand, prompting a 4% overall export drop forecast for 2025. The company intensified domestic trading and generation optimization within , where it maintains monopoly-like roles in cross-border flows, while pursuing import substitution for Western equipment in its division through partnerships with Russian and Asian suppliers. Legal countermeasures included arbitrations, such as the upheld $76 million ICSID award against Georgia in 2025 over tariff disputes tied to pre-sanctions operations, demonstrating efforts to protect foreign assets amid adversarial environments. These adaptations underscore Inter RAO's strategic emphasis on state-aligned resilience, with state-owned holding a controlling stake that facilitated alignment with national pivot-to-Asia policies. Inter RAO and its subsidiaries have been involved in several international arbitrations, primarily stemming from contractual disputes over electricity tariffs, supply agreements, and project terminations in former operational markets. These cases often arose after geopolitical tensions, including the 2008 Russia-Georgia war and post-2022 Western sanctions on , leading to renegotiations or terminations by host governments or counterparties. A prominent series of disputes concerns Georgia, where Inter RAO subsidiaries Gardabani Holdings B.V., Inter RAO UES PJSC, and Telasi JSC initiated ICSID and SCC arbitrations in June 2017 against the Georgian over adjustments and related contractual obligations following the 2003 privatization of Telasi and subsequent regulatory changes. In February 2023, an ICSID awarded Inter RAO approximately $76 million in for tariff-related losses, which Georgia unsuccessfully sought to annul; the ICSID annulment committee upheld the award on August 25, 2025, dismissing claims of manifest excess of powers or improper tribunal constitution. Separately, an SCC issued a $112 million award in favor of the claimants in a related contractual dispute, with proceedings filed in a federal court on June 25, 2025. In , Inter RAO UES PJSC and its local subsidiary pursued under CAM Santiago rules (Case No. 3568-18) against Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC EP) following the 2018 termination of a hydroelectric for the project. The tribunal, issuing its award on May 29, 2023, ruled the termination wrongful, attributing it to CELEC's failure to honor payment and operational terms, and awarded Inter RAO damages covering lost profits and project costs, though exact figures remain confidential in public summaries. Ecuador's subsequent annulment efforts were rejected by the Santiago of Appeals on August 29, 2023. Sanctions-related disputes emerged post-February 2022, particularly affecting Inter RAO's European subsidiaries. In October 2023, Inter RAO filed an SCC arbitration against Baltic transmission system operators Litgrid (Lithuania), Augstsprieguma tīkls (Latvia), and Elering (Estonia), claiming wrongful termination of long-term capacity contracts for electricity exports, valued at hundreds of millions of euros, due to EU sanctions prohibiting Russian energy imports. The case remains pending, highlighting tensions between contractual sanctity and geopolitical restrictions. Additionally, Inter RAO Lietuva faced a Lithuanian civil claim in 2025 from Roquette Amilina for €6.1 million in alleged losses from disrupted starch-based cogeneration supplies amid sanctions-induced operational halts, with proceedings ongoing as of October 20, 2025. Earlier, in a 2018 dispute with Ukraine's Ukrinterenergo over unpaid electricity supplies to —totaling approximately UAH 190 million (about US$7 million)—Inter RAO's claim was dismissed by a Ukrainian , which ruled the supplies violated Ukrainian law on occupied territories, underscoring jurisdictional challenges in conflict zones. These arbitrations reflect Inter RAO's strategy to enforce pre-existing commercial agreements amid shifting , with successes in investor-state forums contrasting losses in domestic courts of adversarial states.

Financial and Performance Overview

Inter RAO's revenue under (IFRS) has exhibited consistent growth amid domestic market expansion and trading activities, rising from 986.3 billion RUB in 2020 to 1,226.7 billion RUB in 2021, 1,265 billion RUB in 2022, 1,359.8 billion RUB in 2023, and reaching approximately 1.548 trillion RUB in 2024—a 13.9% increase from the prior year. This upward trajectory reflects higher volumes in and capacity sales, bolstered by regulated tariffs and export contributions to non-sanctioning markets, despite Western sanctions limiting access to certain European outlets since 2022. Net profit followed a similar positive trend, advancing to 135.9 billion RUB in 2023 and further to 147.5 billion RUB in , an 8.5% year-over-year gain driven by operational efficiencies and revenue expansion, though tempered by rising costs in fuel and maintenance. EBITDA stood at 173.3 billion RUB for , reflecting a 5% decline from 2023 levels due to increased capital expenditures and inflationary pressures on input costs, yet maintaining robust margins relative to historical averages. Key quarterly metrics underscore ongoing momentum, with revenue for the first half of 2025 reaching 818.1 billion RUB, up 12.4% year-over-year, alongside net profit of 82.9 billion RUB (up 4.3%) and EBITDA of 93.3 billion RUB (up 17%), indicating sustained performance into the current period.
YearRevenue (billion RUB)Net Profit (billion RUB)EBITDA (billion RUB)
2020986.3Not specified in recent aggregatesNot specified in recent aggregates
20211,226.7Not specified in recent aggregatesNot specified in recent aggregates
20221,265Not specified in recent aggregatesNot specified in recent aggregates
20231,359.8135.9182.4 (implied from 2024 decline)
20241,548147.5173.3

Efficiency and Sustainability Efforts

Inter RAO has implemented programs aimed at enhancing energy efficiency within its operations, including the Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program (EC EEIP) for 2019-2023, which focuses on optimizing management practices to reduce across its generation and distribution assets. As part of its broader Innovative Development and & Development Programme, the company has pursued measures to improve efficiency in power generation and equipment utilization, such as upgrades to thermal power plants to minimize use per unit of output. In terms of , Inter RAO reported a 44% reduction in direct in 2020 compared to the 2014 baseline year, and a 22% decrease relative to 2018 levels, attributing these declines to operational optimizations and partial shifts in fuel mix within its predominantly fossil fuel-based portfolio. The company has set strategic goals for ongoing environmental impact reduction to technically achievable minimums, including compliance with regulatory standards and voluntary initiatives like participation in the UN Global Compact since around 2019, alongside integration of assessments into its annual reporting. Despite these efforts, independent benchmarks highlight limitations, noting that Inter RAO's generation remains 98.5% reliant on fuels with only 1% from renewables as of recent assessments, and lacks a comprehensive low-carbon transition plan, positioning it to potentially exceed allocated carbon budgets under global scenarios. Inter RAO's non-financial reporting received the highest rating from the AK&M Rating Agency in August 2025, emphasizing projects for climate impact mitigation, though such self-reported metrics warrant scrutiny given the company's state-influenced structure and fossil-heavy operations.

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