MPs have approved two laws necessary for the transposition of the EU’s third energy liberalisation package into Slovakia’s legal system. If the president signs the changes they will become effective from September 1, the SITA newswire reported.
The introduction of the liberalization package should improve the situation of energy consumers. New laws on energy will, for example, allow people to switch their supplier of electricity or natural gas within three weeks and without a fee. Moreover, they should have the right to withdraw from a contract during a so-called period of reconsideration lasting 14 working days after the conclusion of the contract.
Following the implementation of the liberalisation package, consumers will have the right to settle accounts with their previous supplier within four weeks after changing and also the right to comprehensible data on their energy consumption and the prices of electricity and natural gas.
The new energy laws also amend the right of electricity and natural gas consumers to withdraw from a contract with their supplier in the event of a change in the price charged for electricity or natural gas, or in other contractual terms, SITA wrote.
Furthermore, the amendments introduce a new definition of the term ‘vulnerable electricity consumer’, i.e. a person whose life depends on supply of electricity and natural gas.
The changes to the law on energy and the law on regulation in network industries were originally supposed to be passed last March. However, MPs representing the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) did not support the measures prepared by then economy minister Juraj Miškov, of Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), during a vote which took place in February 2011.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
