OREANDA-NEWS. November 29, 2012. To prevent violations of the antimonopoly law, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) sent a warning to the Directors of branches of “RusHydro” OJSC – “Volzhsk Hydroelectric Power Station”, “Saratov Hydroelectric Power Station”, “Nizhny Novgorod Hydroelectric Power Station” on unacceptability of cutting bona fide consumers off electric power supply since such actions could result in violating the antimonopoly law, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

On 14th November 2012, the Directors of branches of “RusHydro” OJSC – “Volzhsk Hydroelectric Power Station”, “Saratov Hydroelectric Power Station” and “Nizhny Novgorod Hydroelectric Power Station” stated that on 15th November 2012 at 2 p.m. the following consumers would be switched off: “RusServiceGaz” Trading-and-Service Enterprise” Ltd., “Energetik” Non-Commercial Company, an individual entrepreneur Imamverdy Abbas Ogly Dzhafarov, “Balakovo-Vodokanal” Municipal Unitary Enterprise and “Teplovodokanal” Municipal Unitary Enterprise from the in-house bars of the above electric power stations.

The statements about switching off the customers were made public by sending letters to the Ministry of Energy, FAS Russia, the Ministry of the Russian Federation on Civil Defense, Emergencies and Natural Disaster Relief, the Prosecutor’s Offices in the relevant regions and other bodies informing about switching off the above consumers.

The grounds for switching off: the fact of connecting outside consumers to the in-house bars of Volzhsk, Saratov and Nizhny Novgorod hydroelectric power stations revealed during inspection of operational readiness of “RusHydro” OJSC in the 2012-2013 autumn – winter period, which could have resulted in breaching Clause 6.6.3 of the Rules for Operation of Electric Power Stations and Networks.

To eliminate the above circumstances, preventing “RusHydro” OJSC to issue an operational readiness passport in the 2012-2013 autumn – winter period, the branches of “RusHydro” OJSC – “Volzhsk Hydroelectric Power Station”, “Saratov Hydroelectric Power Station”, “Nizhny Novgorod Hydroelectric Power Station” planned to switch off the consumers on 15th November 2012 at 2 p.m., of which consumers were notified in writing.

The Rules for Operation of Electric Power Stations and Networks in the Russian Federation, approved by No.229 Order of the Ministry Of Energy of 19th June 2003 № 229 is a non-binding document. According to the information from “RusHydro” OJSC, the schemes of in-house needs of Volzsk, Saratov and Nizhny Novgorod hydroelectric power stations and other power stations are completed in such a way that ensure reliability at all operation regimes. During the period of operation of Volzsk, Saratov and Nizhny Novgorod hydroelectric power stations there were no accidents, incidents and failures associated with the work of in-house needs of the power stations.

Introducing complete restriction of electric power consumption to the above consumers on the grounds not provided for by the Rules for complete and (or) partial restriction of electric power consumption approved by No.442 Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of 5th July 2012 can lead to violating Clause 4 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”.

“Employing a new mechanism of antimonopoly regulation in the form of warning enabled FAS to promptly react to the signal and prevent restricting energy supply to consumers. Preventing violations is one of the most efficient methods of market regulation in the “armory” of the antimonopoly authority and we plan to expand the area of employment of such methods”, stated the Head of FAS Department for Control over Electric Power Industry, Vitaly Korolyov.