BRATISLAVA, August 2, (WEBNOVINY) – Natural gas prices for households will not be hiked for the time being because the annual general meeting (AGM) of the gas utility Slovensky Plynarensky Priemysel (SPP) on Monday did not approve the proposal to raise the prices as of October 2010. External communication specialist at SPP Lubomir Tuchscher confirmed this information but did not elaborate on the decision made by stockholders. “We do not comment on the decision of stockholders, it is their decision,” he added. The proposal was vetoed by representatives of the state, according to information available to SITA.
Tuchscher said that the proposal was forged by company management and took into account the development of costs of gas purchases from Russia. The euro was significantly weaker compared with the prices set for this year. „If the situation develops the same way as it did until now, the loss in the segment of households will amount to tens of millions of euros at the end of this year. In principle, it is important that regulated prices are set realistically and reflect actual costs of purchased gas,“ Tuchscher said. The Regulatory Office for Network Industries (URSO) rejected the claims of huge losses by SPP in regards to natural gas distribution to the segment of households.
Last Friday, SPP representatives informed Economy and Construction Minister Juraj Miskov about their intention to submit a proposal to the Regulatory Office for Network Industries for the increase of household gas prices as of October 2010. The ministry’s communications department informed that the meeting was initiated by Chairman of SPP Board of Directors Achim Saul and another member of the board Frederique Dufresnoy. The parties also tackled the tasks arising for the company from the implementation of the EU third energy market liberalization package and other issues in the energy sector. Though Minister Miskov acknowledged the tabled proposals, the communication department stated: „The Economy and Construction Ministry will take a stance on these suggestions only after a thorough evaluation, and the two parties will continue in talks in the next weeks.” The ministry confirmed this position on Friday, July 30.
SITA