Farm grid fee slashed 20-fold by antimonopoly service

In the Kurgan region (Trans-Urals), a farming enterprise was charged nearly a million rubles for connection to power grids, but after the intervention of the regional antimonopoly service, the amount was reduced more than 20 times.

In 2025, the head of an agricultural enterprise contacted the Kurgan branch of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (OFAS) because AO SUENKO charged 829,600 rubles (approx. $9,800 at current rates) for grid connection, including costs for substation construction.

According to Azamat Abdurakhmanov, head of the Kurgan branch of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, this constituted a violation of the rules for technological connection.

«Based on the case review, the service found a violation of Article 9.21 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses and imposed a fine of 700,000 rubles (approx. $8,200) and issued a corresponding order. After its execution, the connection cost for the farming enterprise decreased to 46,300 rubles (approx. $545),» said the head of the Kurgan OFAS. He added that in this case a preferential rate should also apply, hence the significant reduction.

The agency explained that the high fine was due to AO SUENKO having been previously held administratively liable for a similar violation.

The antimonopoly service of the Trans-Urals monitors network organizations, including those supplying electricity. In 2025, the agency reviewed 21 such cases and fined organizations a total of about one million rubles (approx. $11,800 at current rates).