OREANDA-NEWS. January 13, 2014. The Commission for technological connection to electric power networks in Sochi considered petitions from physical and legal persons on resolving disagreements between applicants and network organizations, and on a possibility to redistribute capacity to the benefit of other legal entities.

The Commission held 14 meetings since it was formed.

In 2013, the Commission considered over 650 complaints and petitions of physical and legal persons about refusals to provide technological connection and changing the deadlines for technological connection measures until the end of the Olympic Games.

Upon considering petitions, the Commission makes decisions mandatory for network organizations.

Earlier Commission decisions served as guidelines and became mandatory after the Government of the Russian Federation passed No. 555 Decree.

The composition and regulations on the Commission were approved by No. 497/13/420/243 Order of FAS, the Ministry of Energy and the Federal Tariff Service of 02.08.2013 (registered by the Ministry of Justice on 03.10.2013, No. 30091).

The Commission comprises representatives of FAS, the Ministry of Energy, the Federal Tariff Service, “Olympstroi” State Corporation, Sochi Organizational Committee, and Sochi City Authority.

As a result of the Commission efforts, FAS initiated an antimonopoly case against “Kubanenergo” OJSC. Having investigated the case, FAS issued a determination to “Kubanenergo” OJSC with regard to the general public. Thus, FAS decision protects not only the interests of the persons whose complaints were considered in the case but also all persons against whom similar violations were committed.

On 2nd July 2013, the Government of the Russian Federation passed No. 555 Decree, providing for technological connection of physical persons (the capacity of power-receiving devices – up to 15 kW and if the connected facility is the only place of residence of an applicant) before the during the of the XXII Winter Olympic Games and the XI Winter Paralympic Games 2014 in Sochi, abolishing the moratorium for this group of consumers which had been in effect from 17th July 2012.

The draft Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation was devised by the Ministry of Energy jointly with FAS to protect the rights of consumers of electric power in Sochi.