Slovakia's dominant electric energy producer Slovenské Elektrárne, a.s., (SE) says it has filed a lawsuit against the Slovak Economy Ministry for imposing an obligation to sell part of the power it generates at a regulated price below the market price.
SE spokesman Juraj Kopřiva announced the move, as reported by the SITA newswire. The government justified the imposition of regulated prices by what it called the general economic interest in the energy sector. The electricity producer initially filed an appeal with the Economy Ministry. But since this failed, SE says it has now turned to the Bratislava Regional Court.
"Although we can collaborate with the state in price setting, the ministry's decision is at odds with several principles of Slovak law and European Union law. SE was, therefore, forced to defend itself against this verdict. The electric energy producer is still in communication with the Economy Ministry about the issue," Kopřiva to told the Trend weekly.
A producer of electrical energy, according to the measure adopted ‘in the general economic interest’ by the cabinet in early July, has to supply at least 6 terawatt hours of electricity to households and small businesses at a price set by the network regulator. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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