PSRC to impose AMD 75mln fine on Electric Networks of Armenia

July 6, 2015 - 13:40 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - During a meeting on Wednesday, July 8, the Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia (PSRC) is planning to impose an AMD 75 million fine on Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), according to Panorama.am.

12 out of the 14 decisions of the Commission envisage a fine of AMD 5 million each, while the other two decisions presuppose fines of AMD 5.4 million and AMD 10 million respectively.

ENA management decided recently to set up a new procedure of connecting the consumption systems of new subscribers to power supply networks. Explaining the measure by financial difficulties, ENA suggested that consumers should cover the expenses to be connected to power supply networks, in addition to the fixed payment for connection. The company said that sum will be deducted from payments made for the electricity consumed in the course of the next 5 years.

#ElectricYerevan

Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) submitted a bid to the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) demanding to raise energy price by AMD 17 ($0.036). During the June 17 session, PSRC partially satisfied the bid raising the tariffs to AMD 6,93 ($0.0146) from August 1, causing major public outrage.

On June 19, members of the initiative “No to Plunder” started a sit-in protest at Freedom Square. On June 22, demonstrators headed towards the presidential headquarters on Baghramyan Avenue. The police, however, blocked the part of the street on the way to the President’s residence. The rally participants decided to continue the protest right in front of the police cordons. After a 10-hour sit-in, the police called on the demonstrators to leave the area, using water cannons to disperse the protesters.

Not only protesters but also journalists and operators covering the rally were subjected to the police violence: 237 people were detained and released later. The attitude of the police enraged the public: thousands gathered at Baghramyan Avenue demanding to cancel the Commission’s decision on energy price hike. Countless demonstrators spent several nights at the campaign venue.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan issued a statement on June 27 informing that an audit will be conducted at ENA, with the government to cover the costs of the tariff hike. He called on the protesters to clear the Avenue, but the demonstrators stayed put. After a discussion with picketers, “No to Plunder” coordinating group members decided to continue the protest at Freedom Square. Many demonstrators, however, disagreed. Thus, some of the protesters moved to Freedom Square, while the majority remained on Baghramyan Avenue, determined to go on until the Commission’s decision is cancelled, rather than suspended.