OREANDA-NEWS. On April 03, 2007 Anatoly Golomolzin, the Deputy Head of FAS Russia took part in a plenary session of the 5th All-Russian Energy Forum "Russian Fuel and Energy Complex in the XXI century", reported the press-centre of FAS Russia. In his report Anatoly Golomolzin mentioned, in particular, that "along with the basic concept of "competition", the new law "On Competition Protection" introduces for the first time the notion of "competitiveness". The law also presents a new understanding of the "goods market" as another basic concept. Previously it was based on the goods circulations within the boundaries of the Russian Federation; currently this geographical limitation is removed. Markets - primarily, those of energy resources - are global".


According to the Deputy Head of FAS Russia, "The fuel and energy complex (TEK) provides the basic infrastructure of the national economy in terms of both industry and commerce, and its markets usually include natural monopolies". Following FAS Russia's recommendations on competition development, the Government of the RF is adopting the Regulations on non-discriminatory access to the services of natural monopolies. A new edition of the Regulations on non-discriminatory access in the power generation sector was passed a week ago. In particular, they regulate in detail the network connection procedures, from tendering and contract signing to physical connection. Light load procedures, in particular, for small and medium businesses, are simplified and the payment procedures for technological connection are regularized.


The draft amendments to the existing Regulations on non-discriminatory access in the oil and gas sector and in the railway industry are under discussion. Anatoly Golomolzin added that as part of administering the Law "On Competition Protection", FAS Russia prepared the draft General Regulations on non-discriminatory access to natural monopolies. Similar Regulations are being devised to cover other areas of natural monopolies (such as ports and airports). The institution of energy resources trading is of key importance for competition development. In the power generation industry this role is played by the trading system administrator, and in the gas sector - by the "Mezhregiongas" e-site (which will be transformed into an independent trading site, while in the future gas stock bidding should be developed). As for the oil and petrochemicals market, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade jointly with the Federal Antimonopoly Services drafted the Regulations on Oil and Petrochemical Exchange Trading and presented them for the consideration of the Government of the RF. It is intended to start stock bidding based on state procurement.