ASSOCIATIONS of employers in Slovakia have criticised the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (ÚRSO) for increasing tariffs for operating the electricity distribution network by more than 10 percent. The tariff represents about 11 percent of the end price of electricity.
“The decision of ÚRSO is in absolute contrast with the steps of other EU member states that make every effort to protect their industry and increase its competitiveness,” the National Union of Employers (RÚZ), Club 500 and the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SOPK) wrote in the statement, as quoted by the SITA newswire.
The employers’ associations consider the decision to be controversial and say it was passed “without any consultation with the market subjects, or any relevant, argumentative or analytically backed justification”, as reported by SITA.
Under the new rules, the tariff for operating the network will stand at €21.82 per Megawatt hour. Since the beginning of the year it was €19.82 per MWh, and last year even €16.03 per MWh.
“The end prices of electricity in Slovakia have been increasing since 2007 and for several years belong to the highest in Europe,” the employers said, as quoted by SITA.
They also pointed to the decreasing trend of electricity prices in Slovakia, stressing that the regulated part of electricity is developing in the opposite direction, mostly as a result of the increase in the support for electricity generated from renewable resources. While the tariff for operating the network, used for financing renewable resources, stood at €2.81 per MWh in 2008, now it will be €21.82 per MWh, the employers said.
ÚRSO, however, says its tariff increases are in line with the law.
“Other objections of the signatories are nothing else than tools of permanent demagogic pressure,” ÚRSO spokesperson Miroslav Lupták said, as quoted by SITA, adding that ÚRSO has explained its reasons for increasing the tariff in the relevant document and will not comment further on the matter.
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.
