ESO's illegal attempts to connect sites to the electricity grid continue
In gross violation of Bulgarian legislation and regulatory rules, the state electricity transmission operator ESO once again insists that power distribution facilities of ERP North be made on the territory of Albena resort complex with the motive of alleged prevention. Despite the declared readiness of the electricity distribution company to provide assistance in ensuring operating conditions under voltage, the ESO insist on the complete disconnection of the outlets. The purpose is to use the disconnection to make a direct connection to the medium voltage network. A timetable and assistance from the EPP North has been proposed to carry out the “under pressure” prevention. However, the proposals were rejected without substantiating arguments.
Meanwhile, false statements are being circulated in the public domain by Albena AD. The facts show that the resort complex did not own a network even before its privatization. The territory of the resort. “Albena” AD is part of the license territory of “Elektrodistribuenie North” AD (ERPS), according to a regularly issued license by DKEVR (currently KEVR). Over the years Albena AD has gradually acquired notarial deeds of ownership for individual elements of the distribution network built on the territory of the resort complex, which ERPS disputes in court. After the privatization, elements of the distribution network were partially built for the supply of electricity to individual sites in the resort complex, which in some places duplicate the facilities of the distribution network of “Elektrodistribuenie North” AD. Others were demolished, all of which was carried out not only without the agreement of the ERPS, but also without its knowledge or with its explicit disagreement to changes in the distribution network scheme, and the facilities were looted by the KK. “Albena” AD.
“Elektrodistribuenie Sever” AD conducts legal proceedings to prove its ownership of individual parts of the same distribution network, basing its ownership on the principles of the legislation that acted on the construction of the facilities in the resort. Albena, and subsequent normative acts, according to which the facilities built by the Tourism Committee for electricity supply of the resort complex “Albena” AD have become state national property — an integral part of the state electricity distribution system and as such could not be included in the property of a privatized enterprise.
Regarding the claims that it is normal practice for large energy consumers to join the ESO directly, we at ENERGO-PRO consider that this is not valid in cases where there are facilities owned by ERP North in the respective territory, through which customers who are not connected to the KP are supplied. “Albena” and for which 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 service. Meanwhile, EPP North has submitted 13 applications for joining the network of clients, which have so far been underreported, to the facilities of KK Albena. This requires further development of the network.
We remind you that according to Bulgarian legislation the 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 has for years 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. According to the legislation and regulations, Albena AD has no right to power existing or connect future facilities to the distribution network located in the resort. The facts so far indicate that Albena does not use energy only for itself, but redistributes it to a number of customers.
The electrical installations on the territory of the resort are not only owned by Albena, on the contrary, it is indisputably established in court order that a significant part of them are owned by ERPS. In contravention of the law, Albena AD demolishes ERPS facilities — it has 3 substations destroyed by them, builds a parallel network of its facilities, which, replacing those of the energy company, become part of the distribution network in the licensed territory of EPRS. This is done with the assistance of the state company “Electricity System Operator” (ESO).
ENERGO-PRO expects, after reporting the case to the Bulgarian and European Public Prosecutor's Offices, effective judicial actions will be taken in line with European law, which is high time to be applied in this case too, so that the general public does not become a victim of lobbying interests.
