Dear customer!

Please, be informed that starting from October 2017, Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 624 of 24.05.2017 "On Amending Certain Acts of the Government of the Russian Federation on Introducing Full and/or Partial Restriction of Electric Energy Consumption Mode, and the Use of Seals of Economic Companies" enters into force, which approves changes in the procedure for imposing a restriction on the mode of electric energy consumption.

These amendments were adopted in the development of Federal Law No. 307-FZ of 03.11.2015 "On Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation in Connection with Strengthening the Payment Discipline of Consumers of Energy Resources" and are aimed at ensuring timely payment for electricity and transmission services.

The main changes introduced into the order of introduction of the restriction of the mode of electric energy consumption are as follows:

Reduction of the terms and stages of the procedure for limiting the electricity supply to the consumer.

If there are legitimate reasons for limiting power supply, the procedure for imposing a restriction in the general case is reduced to one stage - the introduction of a complete limitation of electricity consumption; and a partial restriction may be imposed only on consumers whose restriction of consumption mode may lead to economic, environmental or social consequences having an act of coordination of emergency and technological reserved quota. A complete restriction of the consumption mode is introduced by the grid company only after a preliminary single notification, which must contain comprehensive, statutory information on the forthcoming restriction.

Restriction for any amount of debt.

The power sales company has the right to initiate a power supply restriction for the debtor - consumer when debt is formed in any amount without waiting for its accumulation.

Establishing the duty of self-restraint by the consumer.

In the absence of a technical opportunity to impose a power supply restriction on the part of the grid company, including due to the availability of conscientious sub-subscribers connected to the customer’s grids, the consumer who received a corresponding notification from the grid company is obliged to limit his consumption on his own within the time specified in the notification.

To control self-restraint, the consumer must admit representatives of the grid company to his facilities. Control of consumer self-restraint is made no later than 10 days from the date of its introduction and then no less than once in 30 days.

Restriction of "non-switchable" consumers.

In accordance with the change in legislation, if there are legitimate grounds, it is possible to completely limit the power supply to absolutely all types of consumers, including limiting which can lead to economic, environmental or social consequences. Such consumers are disconnected from power supply after carrying out measures ensuring their readiness to impose a restriction.

Expansion of the list of ways to notify the consumer.

The law provides for a broader list of ways to notify consumers about the introduction of restrictions on the consumption of electricity. Upon the agreement of the parties to the contract, it is possible to use SMS messages, messages to the e-mail address, by including the appropriate notification in the bill for payment of services, publication in the media and a number of other ways.

Restriction of power supply to citizens - consumers.

For citizens - consumers of electricity (except for citizens - consumers of utility services for electricity), the restriction of electricity consumption is carried out in the same manner and at the same time as limiting the electricity supply to other consumers. Restriction of the consumption mode in respect of citizens - consumers of the public utility for electricity supply is carried out on the grounds and in the manner established by the housing legislation of the Russian Federation.

Administrative responsibility.

In accordance with Article 9.22 of the Code of Administrative Violations of the Russian Federation, the administrative liability of the consumer of electric power is to be paid in the form of a fine (10-100 thousand rubles for officials, 100-200 thousand rubles for legal entities) for the following violations in the sphere of power supply:

˗ violation of the imposed full or partial restriction of the consumption mode;

˗ failure to comply with the legal requirement of the grid company to independently restrict the consumption mode;

˗ failure to provide access to the representative of the grid company to power devices belonging to the consumer;

˗ violation of the requirements for drawing up acts of coordination of emergency and technological reserved quota;

˗ failure to implement measures ensuring readiness for the introduction of a complete restriction of the mode for consumption of electric energy.

You can find the full text of Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 624 of 24.05.2017 on the website of the Government of the Russian Federation by clicking the link http://government.ru/docs/all/111770/