On Thursday, AO MOSENERGO intends to cut power supply to three companies— Dmitrov Plant MZhBKh, Dmitrov Excavator Plant and OAO Rosinka. AO MOSENERGO is forced to resort to these measures because of unpaid debts, which were incurred by FGUP Moscow Channel during November–December 2001 and June–July 2002. The Channel’s debt amounts to 107 million rubles including the August bill.

Although the Moscow Channel's debts began accumulating from the beginning of the summer, the company has done nothing to resolve the problem. As a result, last week AO MOSENERGO cut electrical power at a number of Dmitrov's municipal facilities, which all have contractual relationships with the Moscow Channel. AO MOSENERGO has no legal right to take these measures against Moscow Channel because it is included on a list of companies due to the nature of their activities cannot be without power.

Unless Moscow Channel starts paying its bill by August 22, AO MOSENERGO will continue to cut power supply for its sub-customers (FGUP has contracts with a total of 47 entities). The power supply to disconnected entities will be resumed only when full redemption of debt incurred by this federal company.

Meanwhile, on August 19, the Moscow Arbitration Court ruled in favour of the Moscow Channel. AO MOSENERGO had tried to recover debts through the judicial system. AO MOSENERGO will continue attempts to recover payments for supplied power in court. AO MOSENERGO is planning to appeal the Moscow Arbitration Court's ruling.