The topic of differentiated electricity tariffs for the population is truly complex. Many are afraid that due to such a measure, the amounts in “payments” will increase noticeably, however, both regulatory authorities and experts are unanimous in their opinion — 95% of ordinary consumers will not experience the innovations. However, for the mechanism to work effectively, it must be constantly adjusted and adjusted as necessary. It was the ways to improve the diphtariff that were discussed at the FAS Russia practical seminar on tariff regulation.
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Cost of electricity for the population in Russia is below the economically justified level. To compensate for lost income, increased payments are established for businesses. This mechanism is called cross-subsidization.
Initially, the “crossroads” was called a measure for social support of citizens, but in reality it turned out that the wealthiest citizens who have large real estate, electric cars and pay a reduced price for a huge amount of electricity receive the greatest benefit from the subsidy. A consumer with average consumption practically does not feel this support.
Moreover, preferential tariffs are used inappropriately by some – citizens create handicraft industries in garages and spare rooms in their homes, making a profit from such activities, but paying for electricity like an ordinary consumer. The “gray” ones operate according to the same scheme. cryptocurrency miners who install farms in apartments and “houses”, schools and basements of houses.
Such citizens do not pay taxes from the “entrepreneurial” company. activities, and also cause harm to the energy system of the region and the country as a whole. The thing is that the standard connection power for residential premises is not intended for increased loads. As a result, for example, of mining, the load on power grids increases manifold, which causes the risk of network breaks and power supply disruptions, fires, etc. At the same time, energy companies do not receive significant funds for investment in the modernization of networks.
General Director of Rusenergosbyt Mikhail Andronov noted: “For now, consumers will not have a differentiated tariff, which should be, but simply a tariff — There will always be problems with investments (in the energy sector, in the grid complex).”
To combat the misuse of benefits and reduce the volume of cross-subsidization, the mechanism of a differentiated tariff for electricity was invented.
“In our opinion, a differentiated tariff helps combat cross-subsidization and illegal mining of crypto-currencies,” he emphasized during FAS seminar, Deputy Head of Service Gennady Magazinov.
The meaning of the mechanism is simple – the more you consume, the more you pay. At the same time, to determine the tariff schedule, three consumption ranges will be introduced: the first – while maintaining the preferential tariff, the second – with an increased coefficient and the third – with a tariff comparable to the price for wholesale consumers.
To date, 53 Russian regions have decided to use differentiated tariffs; from May 1, the mechanism is expected to be introduced in another 20 regions of the country, says the FAS. However, as diftariffs spread, “weak” ones were identified. places that require adjustments.
One of them is the lack of a unified methodology for establishing consumption ranges. Most of the regions where the diphtariff will start operating from July 1 have set the limits of the first range at 10 thousand kWh per month, which is unattainable in conditions of connection with a capacity of 15 kW. At the same time, large households with swimming pools, saunas and other luxury items, as well as home mining farms, will also fall into this range. Thus, the differentiated tariff will not fulfill its role and will not cut off large consumers of electricity.
«We see consumption ranges at more than 40 thousand kWh per month, it would be interesting to talk with colleagues and find out how these the ranges were established based on what considerations. Apparently, the regions will need help from the federal center (in developing consumption ranges),” the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation clarified.
The Association “Market Council” also agrees with this. (unites participants of the wholesale energy market). The head of the association, Maxim Bystrov, noted: “Most of the regions that introduced the diftariff set the limit of the first range at 10 thousand kWh per month. In our opinion, this boundary is of a “decorative nature”; we propose to formalize the determination of the maximum threshold values of the first and second energy consumption ranges. Regional authorities will have to be guided by these values when making appropriate decisions.”
He also proposed setting the boundaries of the first range at 2.5 thousand kWh per month in the summer and 5 thousand kWh per month in winter.
In parallel with this, the Federal Antimonopoly Service is already working on creating a unified methodology for establishing consumption ranges, calling on regions to more adequately assess the parameters for establishing a differentiated tariff. “The service will work on detailed adjustment of the ranges in each region,” they summed up.