Quality Requirements for Network Services and the Conditions for Reducing Network Charges in case of Breaches of Those Requirements

This Regulation lays down quality requirements for network services to be provided in the service area of the network operator to consumers, producers, line possessors or other network operators (hereinafter, ‘market participant’) and the conditions for reductions of network charges in the case of breaches of those requirements.

The quality requirements for network service (hereinafter, ʻthe service’) are the following

1) requirements for customer service;

2) requirements for the security of electricity supply;

3) requirements for voltage quality.

(1) The requirements for customer service make provision for a list of the operations required in order to provide the service, and the time-limits for those operations.

(2) The requirements for customer service are set out in the following Table.

Operation Time-limit for performance of the operation In the service area of a distribution network Re-energization after payment of amounts overdue for provision of the service if interruption of the supply of electricity (hereinafter, ‘interruption’) in the electricity network is not required within 5 business days following receipt of payment of the service charge for re-energization if interruption in the electricity network is required within 8 business days following receipt of payment of the service charge for re-energization Inspection of the market participant’s point of consumption in order to resolve metering-related issues within 5 business days from receiving the corresponding request from the market participant Provision of response to inquiries concerning charges and payments within 5 business days from receiving the inquiry Interruption of the network connection at the request of the market participant if interruption in the electricity network is not required within 5 business days from receiving the corresponding request from the market participant If interruption in the electricity network is required within 8 business days from receiving the corresponding request from the market participant At the request of the market participant, replacement of the metering device or its adjustment to the relevant prices within 7 business days from receiving the corresponding request from the market participant Notification of a scheduled interruption to the market participant concerned at least 2 days before the interruption In the service area of the transmission network Inspection of the market participant’s point of consumption in order to resolve metering-related issues within 5 business days from receiving the corresponding request from the market participant Notification of the market participant concerned of work that is scheduled to be performed on their metering device at least 5 days before starting the work Obtaining the agreement of the market participant concerned for scheduled interruptions written notice is transmitted by the 15th day of the month preceding the interruption

(1) The requirements for the security of supply make provision for the time period during which the supply is to be restored and the annual permissible duration of interruptions per point of consumption. The supply of electricity to the electrical installation located at the point of consumption of the market participant is provided through one or several connection points in accordance with the network contract(s) concluded.

[RTL 2006, 48, 862 – entry into force 22.06.2006]

(2) The duration of an interruption is the period of time that begins to run from the moment that the network operator becomes aware or should have become aware of an interruption in their network, and ends when the electricity supply has been restored.

(3) If the interruption was caused by an event that it was objectively impossible for the network operator to forestall or prevent (such as a natural calamity, winds or ice buildup exceeding the design standards of the lines, military hostilities), the interruption must be eliminated within 3 days following the end of the event.

[RT I, 13.06.2014, 12 – entry into force 16.06.2014]

(4) In the transmission network, any fault-caused interruption must be eliminated

1) within 2 hours, if the supply of electricity to the point of consumption is provided through two or more 110 kV transformers or lines;

2) within 120 hours, if the supply of electricity to the point of consumption is provided through a single 110 kV transformer or line.

[RTL 2006, 48, 862 – entry into force 22.06.2006]

(4¹) In the transmission network, it is permissible for a fault-caused interruption to be eliminated over a period that exceeds that mentioned in clause 2 of subsection 4 of this section, provided all of the following conditions are fulfilled

1) the supply of electricity to the point of consumption is provided through a single underground line;

2) the market participants that operate at the point of consumption have agreed to this in writing;

3) the market participants that operate at the point of consumption are not providers of a vital service or occupants of a national defence post.

[RT I, 21.10.2016, 3 – entry into force 24.10.2016]

(5) In the distribution network, any fault-caused interruptions must be eliminated

1) within 12 hours during the period from 1 April to 30 September and within 16 hours during the period from 1 October to 31 March;

2) within 120 hours, if the supply of electricity to the point of consumption is provided through a single 11o kV transformer or line.

[RT I, 13.06.2014, 12 – entry into force 16.06.2014]

(6) The permissible annual duration of fault-caused interruptions for any point of consumption in a distribution network is up to 70 hours or, if the supply of electricity to the point of consumption in the distribution network is provided through a single 110 kV transformer or line, up to 150 hours. The permissible annual duration of fault-caused interruptions for any point of consumption in the transmission network is up to 150 hours.

[RT I, 13.06.2014, 12 – entry into force 16.06.2014]

(6¹) It is permissible for the duration of fault-caused interruptions in the transmission network to exceed the values set out in subsection 6 of this section, provided the conditions listed in clauses 1–3 of subsection 41 of this section are fulfilled.

[RT I, 21.10.2016, 3 – entry into force 24.10.2016]

(6²) If the interruption was caused by an event mentioned in subsection 3 of this section, the permissible duration of interruptions set out in subsection 6 of this section is extended by 3 days.

[RT I, 13.06.2014, 12 – entry into force 16.06.2014]

(7) During the period from 1 April to 30 September, a scheduled interruption may last up to 10 hours and, during the period from 1 October to 31 March, up to 8 hours. The network operator may also agree, with the market participant, on a different duration of a scheduled interruption.

[RT I, 13.06.2014, 12 – entry into force 16.06.2014]

(8) Unless otherwise agreed with the market participant in respect of their point of consumption, the permissible annual duration of scheduled interruptions for any point of consumption is up to 64 hours.

[RT I, 13.06.2014, 12 – entry into force 16.06.2014]

(9) When the supply of electricity is interrupted for up to 3 minutes due to the operation of automatic emergency-prevention equipment, this is not deemed to constitute an interruption.

(1) The quality of the network service is characterized by the following indicators of the security of supply

1) the average annual frequency of interruptions per point of consumption;

2) the average annual duration of an interruption per point of consumption;

3) the average annual duration of an interruption per network operator.

(2) The average annual frequency of interruptions per point of consumption is calculated according to the following formula

R0lGODlhVwBHAJEDAB8aFyUiHgAAAP///yH5BAEAAAMALAAAAABXAEcAAAL/nI+py+0Po5y02ouz 3rz7D4biSJYIgAIDaraQyqrurMg2jR/3mue73AsKh8Si0ZNKKpXHDevxbGaiDaAUQ11Yr5csN+T9 fsKM1MosLm8daHL6LIm632u1rv424GunfHlitZcmmEBlQ3iEeALU5qcYByf2GAEz+BI3R4SYqcPz tcmppzfpsmSK5gd1apra6voKCzJHmhq4ZJTEAVNHC9bp5MnUOzastlfcgazluSzEpMX6F7morFEN e/2a3Zp5mhAAHi4+Tl5uTt61XRuLICBAod7jDs/eDhif837JXI+J328C1ZlQsQT+a2IQIJRpBxOJ eqhQ2pOGuH5RLMJIYMRFDxw3NrvjsUbCkCRLmjRZAAA7

where

nk is the number of points of consumption that have been cut off from the supply of electricity due to the interruptions;

m is the number of interruptions to the point of consumption per year;

N is the total number of points of consumption.

(3) The average duration of interruptions per point of consumption annually is calculated according to the following formula

R0lGODlhZQBDAJEDAB8aFyUiHgAAAP///yH5BAEAAAMALAAAAABlAEMAAAL/nI+py+0Po5y02ouz 3rxHAAID6JWmJJLiybbHCrvyGY/z3dUrzvf+DwxOQsRiURgkPZTIH7OxU4SarOcieqVWsRVuVjv0 fsQGHXhMOTpStsSUeLZCa0t5WWkX5t2vsZi5lwQRRdbHJrUTCFRYhsBoxtd31rb0wij51RiHckd4 6UZ41/RpOfJEWtqpKeiRggplulhyuEHbc0k6xaHrg5tLqWGL4/sbGyw6bKSsOLm7rNwcLT1NXW1d t3bd4qmmbeKa6d3advQqXkdmjqTOIOwozv4lx1sNh2h0nhGfn7bPz/lvRqFlCgIYPIgwocKFDBs6 fHgwXMAqwCZmECDAETOLPBAwcmyR8aOJkCJLmtRzit5JP+9WdjnlsouxijErUfInEgadmoMk4fyY SCXPdp6GfgBlFF2opEybOkVQAAA7

where

nk is the number of points of consumption that have been cut off from the supply of electricity due to the interruptions;

dk is the duration, in minutes, of an interruption to the point of consumption;

m is the annual number of interruptions to the points of consumption;

N is the total number of points of consumption.

(4) The average annual duration of an interruption per network operator is calculated according to the following formula

R0lGODlhbABgAJEDAB8aFyUiHgAAAP///yH5BAEAAAMALAAAAABsAGAAAAL/nI+py+0Po5y02ouz 3rz7B4TAEH7maY3liLbuwsbvPMskjaM2m/f+DwwKh8SiQYRMJo3EEojHDDod0IQo+poyqgou9qNN SbzfJybcParLY/IWCVHdEFc4++i22uJokrOPBWh1kEfXNyUYVTi3BnLDhbhYtAhFuVZVeUcXwZM4 CLOpyejoVylpGOoJdIpXGjoRucfEGufHoULrkks1miFnZMmpKryrwzfWe5a8yncaU5wKfatEPSy6 UV19vc3d7f3d7SkNToqnRG44rgaoDnw7t7QMrn7V0N5EL984b6d3Dmqri7VAstDVIGQQR6aEBxHC oJYggMSJFCtavIgxo8aNqBNrtWKYxRxIDQIEUMF1D13JkTlMspzh8qXMC3AGzuRkK+XNHTc98Oz5 Dh7QoUSLGp2W7d/RN8eW2gvmlCmvqE+p+tJZdGCdeke1/sF6zVokqs46gQ2LzKFTVgttomO7UB9L WrHWnZ0ERm7ClFxnQnV0t0lTj25FUSosM6lSq+YUI2YMObLkH+Imqy0VzzKuLZbXNS4IuW8azXID f3v20HTn1axbu35ZAAA7

where

nk is the number of points of consumption that have been cut off from the supply of electricity due to the interruptions;

dk is the duration, in minutes, of the interruptions to the point of consumption;

m is the annual number of interruptions to the points of consumption.

[RTL 2006, 48, 862 – entry into force 22.06.2006]

When making provision for voltage quality in a distribution network, observance of the standard EVS-EN 50160 is recommended.

[RT I, 13.06.2014, 12 – entry into force 16.06.2014]

(1) In the case of a breach of the requirements for the security of supply, the market participant’s network charge for the relevant month is reduced by an amount that the network operator must set out in the contracts concluded with that market participant.

[RT I, 13.06.2014, 12 – entry into force 16.06.2014]

(2) If the market participant’s electrical installation is connected to the network at low voltage through a main breaker of up to 63 A, the amount by which the network operator reduces the network charge, may not be less than

1) 7.99 euro, if elimination of the interruption exceeds the period stated in the requirements by up to 48 hours;

2) 15.98 euro, if elimination of the interruption exceeds the period stated in the requirements by 48–96 hours;

3) 23.97 euro, if elimination of the interruption exceeds the period stated in the requirements by more than 96 hours.

[RT I, 29.12.2010, 13 – entry into force 01.01.2011]

(3) If the market participant’s electrical installation is connected to network at low voltage through a main breaker of over 63 A, the amount by which the network operator reduces the network charge, may not be less than

1) 0.13 euro per each ampere of the main breaker, if elimination of the interruption exceeds the period stated in the requirements by up to 48 hours;

2) 0.26 euro per each ampere of the main breaker, if elimination of the interruption exceeds the period stated in the requirements by 48–96 hours;

3) 0.38 euro per each ampere of the main breaker, if elimination of the interruption exceeds the period stated in the requirements by more than 96 hours.

[RT I, 29.12.2010, 13 – entry into force 01.01.2011]

(4) If the market participant’s electrical installation is connected to network at a voltage of 6–35 kV, the amount by which the network operator reduces the network charge may not be less than

1) 0.77 euro for each kilowatt of the use capacity of the network connection, if elimination of the interruption exceeds the period stated in the requirements by up to 48 hours;

2) 1.53 euro for each kilowatt of the use capacity of the network connection, if elimination of the interruption exceeds the period stated in the requirements by 48–96 hours;

3) 2.30 euro for each kilowatt of the use capacity of the network connection, if elimination of the interruption exceeds the period stated in the requirements by more than 96 hours.

[RT I, 29.12.2010, 13 – entry into force 01.01.2011]

(5) The amount by which the transmission network operator must reduce the network charge on exceeding the permissible period of interruption, may not be less than 2556.47 euro for each megawatt of hourly capacity for the previous year of the point of consumption cut off from electricity supply.

[RT I, 29.12.2010, 13 – entry into force 01.01.2011]

(6) For breaching the requirements mentioned in subsections 6 and 8 of § 4 of this Regulation, the network charge of the market participant for the first three months of the next calendar year is reduced by an amount that may not be less than the rate stated, respectively, in subsections 2, 3, 4 or 5 of this section.

[RT I, 13.06.2014, 12 – entry into force 16.06.2014]

[Omitted from this text.]