While heat and gas prices will increase by approximately 15%, electricity prices will not change, the Slovakian government announced Thursday (1 December).
Energy prices for households are usually set by the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (ÚRSO). However, prices for next year have been decided by the Economy Ministry thanks to the so-called “institute of crisis regulation.”
Energy prices for households will depend on what kind of energy they use for heating. The most significant increase is expected in homes which heat both air and water with natural gas – approximately €19 per month. Those who use electricity for heating will pay the same as this year.
Prime Minister Eduard Heger (OĽaNO) said that if the government did not intervene, electricity prices would increase by 380%, gas by 225% and heating by 80%. According to Heger, households will save €6 billion in total, €3000 per household.
The difference in market price and the regulated price will be paid to the suppliers by the Economy Ministry, which will get €1.7 billion from next year’s budget. This money is meant only for gas suppliers.
The biggest Slovak electricity producer, Slovenské elektrárne a.s. agreed to supply cheap electricity in exchange for the government’s pledge to not tax electricity suppliers any further in the coming years.
Slovakia has also set next year’s energy prices for businesses in October. Prices will be capped at €199 per megawatt hour for electricity and €99/MWh for natural gas.
Help for businesses and households is bound to next year’s budget, which is currently being discussed by the National Council. Approval of the budget is not certain as the coalition does not hold a majority in the parliament.
(Michal Hudec | EURACTIV.sk)
Source: euractiv.com
