The implementation of the automated mechanism for paying compensations to end users that the electric power distribution system operators must use if they exceed the number and length of allowed disconnections was put off for a year. The National Agency for Energy Regulation (NAER) approved relevant changes to the regulations concerning the quality of electric power transportation and distribution services, IPN reports.

The adopted amendments provide that the implementation of the automated payments system implies the development of data collection and invoicing software. Therefore, the automated payment mechanism will start to be applied on January 1, 2021, not on January 1, 2020, as planned initially.

Until January 1, 2021, the distribution system operators will calculate and pay compensations for exceeding the admissible length of planned and unplanned disconnections based on complaints received from end users through phone calls to the 24/24 service or mail or on applications submitted to the offices of the system operator or electric power supplier. The compensations will be paid by the distribution system operator within 30 days of the receipt of the complaint.

In the same meeting, the NAER Administration Board approved the price of the electricity generated by the thermoelectric plant of CET-Nord at 1.62 lei/kWh and the tariff for the heat supplied to consumers at 1,220 lei/Gcal. It also approved the natural gas market rules that regulate the periods and conditions for organizing and functioning the natural gas market and the rights and obligations of the participants in this market.