Albena AD is trying to illegally join the ESO network

Resort complex “Albena” AD, which is a client of Elektrodistribuenie Sever, has been looking for ways to bypass the legislation and directly connect to the network of the state company “Electricity System Operator” (ESO). Elektrodistribuenie North holds the only license for distribution of energy on the territory of North-East Bulgaria.

On March 31 of this year, Elektrodistribuenie North was informed by a letter from the state company “Electricity System Operator” (ESO) that as a result of the direct connection contract signed in 2015 with Albena AD, its implementation will begin by preparing the technical prerequisites for this, namely the construction of a system for commercial metering of the electricity consumed in the complex. Thus, “Electricity System Operator” enables Albena AD, contrary to the law, to distribute energy to existing customers of ERP North in the resort territory, and also to avoid paying the due charges for transmission and access to the distribution company's network.

On the territory of the Albena Elektrodistribuenie North complex there are clients legal entities that are not related to the resort complex “Albena” and for whom energy distribution is carried out by the licensed operator on the territory of the resort complex. If the resort joins ESO directly, then ERP North will not be able to fulfill its obligations to these customers and provide quality delivery.

The consequences of this unprecedented act related to the Albena power plant will affect all users of the distribution company, because they will pay higher charges for the transmission of energy due to the fact that the costs of maintaining the network will be distributed over smaller amounts of electricity for the territory of the licensee.

Simultaneously with the signing of the contract with ESO Albena AD, they systematically take steps that will lead to a change in the connection scheme of the facilities of Albena resort under the pretext of requests for prevention of network facilities. EPP North helps to carry out the prevention by covering all safety standards.

Elektrodistribuenie North will request that a thorough check be carried out on the manner in which the contract between Albena AD and the state-owned company Electricity System Operator (ESO) was concluded. To this end, the company will refer the relevant competent authorities to take a look at the case and answer the doubts about a possible crime committed during the signing of the contract by the “Electricity System Operator” (ESO).

According to Bulgarian legislation, distribution of medium and low voltage electricity is the exclusive right of the companies ENERGO-PRO, CEZ, EVN and ERP Zlatni Pjasatsi licensed for this purpose. Albena AD for years has been carrying out illegal distribution to customers on their territory, who are powered by them and pay for the electricity consumed, measured by sub-reporting electricity meters.

The circumvention of regulatory obligations by the state company “Electricity System Operator” (ESO) and “Albena” AD is an unfair act of self-government by both companies and works in the direction of protecting lobbying interests. This puts at risk the future development of the electricity sector in the conditions of an already complex economic situation in the country.