Quality of supply

A distributor, who carries out the activity of heat distribution as a service of general economic interest, must in its system operation instruction determine the quality and reliability of supply. A distributor carrying out commercial distribution must the matters relating to secure and quality supply draw up in general terms and conditions.

Security of supply

A distributor must take appropriate steps to ensure the security of the operation of the distribution system by providing sufficient capacity and the reliability of the system and the security of the supply to the distribution system.
It must ensure that consumers receive information about disruptions in the system and at the request of a consumer eliminate disturbances that prevent the consumption of heat or other energy gases in the agreed quality and quantity.

A distributor must not disconnect a consumer who is entitled to emergency supply, or restrict his consumption of heat or other energy gas under ta quantity that is absolutely necessary in view of the circumstances (the season, temperatures, place of residence, health conditions and other similar circumstances) in order not to jeopardise the life and health of a consumer and persons living in his household.  

Energy efficiency and obligatory use of renewable energy sources

District heating and cooling systems must be efficient. Heat distributors must ensure an annual level of heat by using at least one of the following sources:

• at least 50% of heat produced from renewable energy sources;
• at least 50% of waste heat;
• at least 75% of cogenerated heat; or 
• at least 75% of a combination of the heat referred to in the above three indents.

Heat distributors, whose units exceed a nominal power capacity of 10 MW, must ensure:

• a control system for the operation of the district heating and cooling system, which allows for optimum thermal and hydraulic operation of the system;
• the implementation of measures for optimising the operation of the DHC system.