CROATIA'S SUPPLY WITH ELECTRICITY IS REGULAR - HEP

( Editorial: --> 1499 ) ZAGREB, Aug 3 (Hina) - The supply of electricity in Croatia is proceeding without difficulties despite the fact that two 400kW transmission lines from the nuclear power plant Krsko in Slovenia have been disconnected. It is not known when the transmission lines will be connected again, officials of the Croatian electric supply company (HEP) said on Monday. Slovenia's utility company (ELES) disconnected two transmission lines supplying Croatia with electricity from the Krsko nuclear power plant on July 30. The reason was stated as being the non- payment of bills by the Croatian utility company. The Slovenes claim Croatia's debt at the end of June was around DM25 million. Krsko has recently filed a law suit against the Republic of Croatia, demanding the payment of DM100 million for all debts. The HEP has described such a move by its Slovenian partners as "unauthorised, illegal and unlawful", claiming that Krsko must not deliver electricity that belonged to Croatia to ELES. This is the first time since the beginning of functioning of the Krsko power plant in 1981 that the Slovene side has disconnected transmission lines, although they had threatened to do so. Croatia receives 14.6 per cent of its electricity from Krsko, which Croatia's thermonuclear power plants can compensate, HEP officials stressed. (hina) lml 031426 MET aug 98