Reforming the electrical energy complex of Russia in 2002-2008 led to the formation of a competitive sector in the electric power industry where wholesale and territorial generating companies operate, as well as a sector where management and control remain with the state.Companies of operational dispatch management and companies of network management belong to this sector. Electrical energy complex companies are joint-stock companies, many of them are public joint-stock companies.The article deals with the features of their legal status, taking into account their special field of activity.