HEP DOES NOT EXPECT DIFFICULTIES IN POWER SUPPLY

ZAGREB, Dec 3 (Hina) - The Croatian Power Supply (HEP) company does not expect any difficulties in supplying consumers with power, HEP officials said in a statement Monday, after the U.S. power supply company Enron officially declared bankruptcy. Enron officially declared bankruptcy on Sunday, and on a day earlier, Saturday, it cancelled the delivery of power to Croatia. The important thing to HEP is that it fulfils its obligations towards power consumers, and we do not expect any problems in that regard, the head of the HEP information and public relations office, Mihovic Bogoslav Matkovic told Hina Monday. HEP has previously announced it had ensured a necessary amount of electricity until the end of 2001, and that it does not expect any problems afterwards. HEP can compensate for about ten percent of electric power, purchased from Enron at a significantly higher price, by an increased production from own sources, and, depending on the price, by an increased purchase on the European market. HEP is looking for the most favourable solution regarding its relations with Enron, and will rely on its legal advisors, the statement read. (hina) np sb