The Regulatory Office for Network Industries (URSO) has received approximately 150 proposals for an increase in heat prices.
URSO spokesperson Miroslav Lupták told SITA that heat producers are asking for an average increase of between 3 and 3.5 percent.
"The Regulatory Office has not yet issued a final decision,” Lupták said.
Heat prices should gradually increase from March 1 of this year. Approximately 450 heat producers operating in Slovakia demanded the URSO increase heat prices reasoning that the prices of natural gas, which makes up 65 percent of heat price, had been raised. Heat prices for households last grew 0.4 percent on average from January 1, 2008. The average heat price in Slovakia should thus fluctuate around Sk538 per gigajoul this year. However, central heating companies originally wanted to increase heat prices by 10 percent, but following negotiations with the gas utility SPP they decided demand a 3 to 3.5 percent increase.
The Slovak Association of Heat Producers (SZVT), which represents 75 heat producers throughout Slovakia, however, assumes that the prices might go up again in the second half of this year. Heat producers can also file new price proposals during the year. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
