Moscow, 12 April 2004. RAO "UES of Russia" supports its subsidiaries' claims against private individuals who do not pay their electricity bills.

As of 1 April 2004, regional energos of RAO "UES of Russia" filed 77,523 suits against non-paying individuals for the total amount of RUB666.142 million to courts in various regions of Russia.

Throughout Russia, the household consumers pay 94% of the bills for the services provided by RAO UES enterprises. This makes 8% of the overall consumer debt owed to RAO "UES of Russia" entities.

At the same time, in some areas of Russia, the debts owed by household consumers has reached a level that is critical for the local energy systems. In particular, in OAO "Dalenergo" the household debts make 37% of the overall receivables, in OAO "Sakhalinenergo" the figure is 40%, in OAO "Khabarovskenergo" – 38%, in "Chukotenergo" – 36%, in OAO "Karachaevo-Cherkesskenergo" – 32%, in OAO "Sevkavkazenergo" 38%, and in OAO "Yantarenergo" - 38 %.

In this connection, the energy companies in these areas have to take actions against non-paying consumers. Based on court rulings on the recovery of debts owed for heat and electricity, court bailiffs' services attach the property of the debtors that are private individuals. Under the Russian laws, this primarily concerns the things and valuables whose value is in excess of 100 minimum wages, i.e. cars, household and office equipment.

This is most widely practiced in OAO "Dalenergo". As of the beginning of April, household consumers owed OAO "Dalenergo" RUB120 million for electricity and RUB331 million for heat. In 2003, the energy company's lawyers filed almost 16,000 claims to recover household consumer debts in the total amount of about RUB74.8 million. As a result of these actions, in 2003 the household indebtedness to the energy company was reduced by RUB56.6 million.

In 1999-2003, RAO UES entities were able to ensure that large consumers – industries, agricultural enterprises, etc. – pay 100% of their current electricity bills and regularly pay their restructured debt by instalments. In this connection, most energy companies intend to take more active measures against household non-payers.

RAO "UES of Russia" supports its subsidiaries' claims against habitual non-payers among household consumers. This measure ensures recovery of debts and protects the rights and interests of honest paying consumers. In the end, the efforts taken by RAO UES enterprises to ensure full payment of current power bills and settlement of debts of non-payers are aimed at ensuring reliable and uninterrupted energy supply to the country's consumers.