Olsztyn estate to invest zl. 27m to construct its own heat distribution network

The largest housing estate in Olsztyn, Pojezierze, with 36,000 inhabitants, will construct its own heating distribution network for zl..27 million, freeing it from the monopoly currently enjoyed by MPEC, the local distributor. The network will be 20-km long and should be ready for operation in October 2002. The housing estate says the new investment, the first of its kind, will not affect rent payments. Pojezierze's objective is to save on costs by purchasing services directly from the producer - Stomil Olsztyn and cutting out the middle man, distribution company MPEC. At present, around one third of the zl.18-20 million annual heating bill can be attributed to MPEC's fee. The investment is expected to bring returns within 4-5 years. (Rzeczpospolita, p.B3) M.T.