OREANDA-NEWS. On February 09, 2009 the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) will consider the case on antimonopoly violations committed by "Sovet Rynka [Market Council]" Non-Commercial Partnership. The organization prevented entry to the wholesale electrical energy (power) market by fixing 5 000 000 Rubles admission fee, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The case was initiated upon petitions filed by participants of the wholesale market "Tatenergo" OJSC and "Orenburgsel'energosbyt" CJSC.

Articles 33 and 35 of the Federal Law "On Electric Power Industry" specify an imperative norm, according to which all entities obtaining the status of a wholesale market agents, or already are agents of the wholesale electrical energy (power) market must become members of "Sovet Rynka" Non-Commercial Partnership. Therefore, to comply with the statutory provisions the wholesale market agents that are not participants of the wholesale market and members of "Sovet Rynka" Non-Commercial Partnership, as well as entities that intend to obtain the status of аn agent of the wholesale market must join "Sovet Rynka" Non-Commercial Partnership.

The Petitioners have pointed out that 5 000 000 Rubles admission fee for joining "Sovet Rynka" Non-Commercial Partnership is overrated and unjustified, and it creates unequal competitive conditions.

The Non-Commercial Partnership of "Providers of Last Resort and Energy Retail Suppliers" is involved in the case as an interested party.