Russia Ministry of Energy: The State Duma approved in the first reading a bill that clarifies the procedure for determining the amount of payment for TP

The State Duma of the Russian Federation in the first reading approved the draft law on amendments to the Federal Law “On Electric Power Industry”, which specifies the procedure for determining the amount of payment for technological connection to electric grids.

Anastasia Bondarenko, presenting the bill, noted that the problem the bill is aimed at is that the current cumulative regulation has created an imbalance in the economic model of relations between consumers and network organizations. In particular, the current mechanism of preferential TP for many categories of consumers has led to significant drop-out in revenues of network organizations. “We are also talking about a significant underfunding of repair and investment programs, which ultimately affects the quality and reliability of energy supply to consumers,” explained an official representative of the Government.

“The draft law provides for the removal of the obligation from already connected consumers to pay the costs associated with connecting new consumers, and also fixes the approach to the principle of setting payments for technological connection at an economically justified level,” said the State Secretary – Deputy Minister.

Anastasia Bondarenko said that for the population (consumption up to 15 kW), the draft law does not change approaches, technological connection remains preferential. The rate of 550 rubles for TP in the future will be adjusted by the Government. For consumers up to 150 kW (medium and small business), from July 1, 2022, 50% of the cost of the “last mile” will be included in the TP fee and 100% – from January 1, 2023. At the same time, the costs for the reconstruction of the existing network will remain on the “shoulder” of the network company. For large consumers (over 150 kW), the payment for TP from July 1, 2024 will also include the costs of reconstructing the existing network. The Deputy Minister also noted that the special procedure for the formation of connection fees for persons who have benefits for paying for housing and communal services will be retained.

“The clarification of the proposed procedure calls for economically meaningful, reasonable and conscientious behavior of all participants in the electricity market. The principle of the bill is the rational development of the country’s energy system, ”concluded Anastasia Bondarenko.

The law should come into force on July 1, 2022, simultaneously with all bylaws to it.

The plenary session of the State Duma was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Energy Pavel Snikkars, who is responsible in the department for the development of the electricity and heat supply industries.

Answering the questions of the deputies, Pavel Snikkars emphasized that there is no risk of overstating the amount of payment for technical connection by grid organizations, since the amount of payment for technological connection is calculated on the basis of standardized tariff rates established by the constituent entity of the Russian Federation.

“The changes will make it possible to optimally use resources for technical connection and not create pressure on the tariff for the transmission of electricity and its final price for the consumer,” the deputy minister added.