As many as 76 energy-intensive companies will receive financial compensation. A total of €40 million will be redistributed, the SITA newswire reported.
These companies are active in the iron and steel industry, the metallurgy of non-iron metals, cement production, the chemical industry, paper and wood pulp production, the wood industry, and recycling.
U.S. Steel will receive the most
Compensation totals depend on the real electricity consumption. The highest sum will go to U.S. Steel Košice, which will receive €12 million.
Other compensation will go to companies like Slovnaft, Mondi SCP Ružomberok, Železiarne Podbrezová, CRH Slovensko, Bekaert Slovakia, Považská cementáreň, Johns Manville Slovakia, Bekaert Hlohovec, and Metsa Tissue Slovakia.
“As for the electricity prices for households, Slovakia belongs among the cheapest EU countries,” said Economy Minister Peter Žiga (Smer), as quoted by SITA.
The situation is different in industry, though. Unlike Germany, the government refuses to require people to contribute to green electricity subsidies in their electricity bills, Žiga added.
“On the other hand, our industry appeared in the worse position compared to foreign competition,” the minister continued, as quoted by SITA. “Thus, we have passed the first compensation in Slovakia's history.”
He believes the compensations will help increase the competitiveness of companies since they will receive some of the money they contribute to support electricity generation from renewable resources.
11. Nov 2019 at 13:40 | Compiled by Spectator staff
