Kolenergosbyt, the company, which serves most households in Murmansk, faces an uncertain future as debts are reaching alarming magnitudes. The company now owes the regional electricity generators more than five billion RUB (€125 million).
According to newspaper Kommersant, Kolenergosbyt is in danger of losing its privileged status as so-called “guaranteed provider”, an agreement which commits the company to serve the whole regional population. Should the company lose the special status, it is unlikely to be able to pay back its debts.
The company has over the last months been unable to meet any of its financial commitments to TGK-1 and Rosenergoatom, the two main electricity producers in the region.
However, neither TGK-1, nor Rosenergoatom, wants the regional grid company to bankrupt fearing that they might not get back their money.
In a regional government meeting, Deputy Governor Sergei Gubich admitted that the situation could negatively affect this year’s heating situation in the region.
Behind the troubled financial situation of the grid company lies an insufficient willingness among many households, as well as companies and state institutions, to pay their electricity bills, as well as a generally low level of regional electricity tariffs. According to Kommersant, regional authorities in Murmansk have caused a tariff disbalance — the low tariff level is making it impossible for the grid companies to make sufficient money.
Kolenergosbyt provides electricity to about 85 percent of the regional population, the company informs on its website. The electricity is generated by the Gazprom-controlled TGK-1, which produces mainly hydro-power, and Rosenergoatom, which owns the regional Kola Nuclear Power Plant.
