The State Agency for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan oversees compliance with the requirements of the Competition Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the areas of natural monopoly activities defined by legislation. In this regard, the State Agency takes a number of measures to regulate the activities of natural monopoly entities and prevent actions that may adversely affect the interests of customers.

Within this framework, an investigation was conducted into the activities of Azerishiq OJSC concerning the organization of electricity supply in accordance with legislative requirements, based on citizens’ appeals and information received from the Energy Regulatory Agency (AERA) under the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in response to a request from the State Agency.

During the investigation, proceedings were initiated based on the need to ensure full compliance of electricity supply with the requirements of the Competition Code and sector-specific legislation, as well as to implement the necessary measures to protect the rights and legitimate interests of consumers.

To ensure a comprehensive, complete, and objective examination of the case under consideration by the Competition Commission, authorized representatives of AERA were involved in the proceedings.

During the examination of the case, it was established that Azerishiq OJSC must ensure that settlements with consumers for electricity consumption and the delivery of relevant notices are carried out in accordance with sector-specific legislation. The importance of complying with the statutory time limits for the disconnection of electricity supply was also established.

Within the framework of the relevant provisions of the Competition Code, the State Agency issued a mandatory order to Azerishiq OJSC requiring the company to ensure electricity supply in accordance with the requirements of sector-specific legislation, indicate consumers’ outstanding electricity debt on bills or notices provided to them, and make the necessary amendments to written warnings issued to consumers in line with the requirements of sector-specific legislation.

In addition, financial sanctions were imposed on the heads of the Southern, North-Western, Shirvan, Sumgayit, and Yasamal Regional Electricity Supply and Sales Offices (RETSSOs) of Azerishiq OJSC, as well as on their deputies responsible for electricity sales, for their direct involvement in violations of competition legislation.

The State Agency notes that Azerishiq OJSC is currently taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance with sector-specific legislation in the supply of electricity and to improve the organization of its work with subscribers.