OREANDA-NEWS. April 07, 2009. The Government of the Russian Federation adopted resolutions on introducing amendments to the Rules for technological connection of power receivers of legal entities and physical persons to electric networks, as well as to No.109 resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation "On Pricing of Electric and Heating Energy in the Russian Federation", reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

Under the new rules, the fee for technological connection of power receivers, whose maximum power does not exceed 15 kWt, shall be fixed on the basis of the cost of technological connection and shall be no more than 550. According to FAS Russia, earlier connection fee in big cities could reach 100 000 Rubles and more per 1 kWt.

Also, small and medium-size companies connecting power receivers with maximum power capacity from 15 kWt to 100 kWt can pay for technological connection on an installment plan within up to three years after the date of effective connection, with an advance in the amount of 5% of the overall payment. Payments should be made quarterly, by equal installments of the total amount of the fee.

According to Mr Korolev, the Head of the FAS Russia's Department for Control over Electric Power Industry, the decisions made by the Government of the Russian Federation shall encourage development of small and medium business in Russia. Enforcement of already adopted decisions of the Government of the Russian Federation on reducing the costs of technological connection for the facilities with power capacity up to 15 kWt inclusively is one of the priority objectives.

The antimonopoly bodies will tighten their control over compliance of network companies with the limitations of the fee for technological connection. If a network company requires that an applicant, connecting facilities with power capacity less than 15 kWt, must pay more than 550 Rubles for technological connection, the antimonopoly bodies will apply antimonopoly regulatory sanctions against such a network company. A network company also cannot request that applicants, including the applicants connecting facilities with power capacity less than 15 kWt, pay additional sums except according to the approved rates.

If regional tariff agencies fix the fee for technological connection facilities with power capacity less than 15 kWt that exceeds 550 Rubles, the antimonopoly bodies consider initiating proceedings against such tariff agencies for violating the antimonopoly legislation, as such actions can result in restricting competition and will primarily prevent entry of small and medium business to the competitive goods markets.

FAS Russia give special priority to how the network companies will observe the rights of small and medium businesses and comply with the statutory requirements for 3-year installment plan for payment for technological connection of the facilities with power capacity less than 15 kWt.