BRATISLAVA, July 31, (WEBNOVINY) — The Slovak Parliament voted on Tuesday to approve amendments to energy laws based on which the EU’s third energy liberalization package is to be transposed into the Slovak legal system. In voting on the amendment to the law on energy and the amendment to the law on regulation in network industries, MPs for the ruling SMER-SD party did not support any amending proposals tabled by their opposition colleagues. If the president signs the approved bills into law, they will come into effect as of September 1.
Slovakia was supposed to transpose the third energy package into its laws by the end of March of last year. The introduction of the liberalization package should improve the situation of energy consumers. According to the new laws on energy, they will be able to switch their supplier of electricity or natural gas within three weeks and without fees. They should have the right as well to withdraw from a contract during a so-called period for reconsideration lasting 14 working days of the conclusion of the contract.
The approved bill introduces as well a new definition of the term ‚vulnerable electricity consumer.‘ Following the implementation of the liberalization package, consumers should have the right to receive the final settlement from their original supplier within four weeks after the change of the supplier and also the right to comprehensible data on their consumption and prices of electricity and natural gas. The new energy laws also adjust the right of electricity and natural gas consumers to withdraw from a contract with their supplier in case of a change of the price for electricity and natural gas supply or other contractual terms.
The draft also comes up with new unbundling alternatives, i.e., the separation of production and supplies from the transmission or transport grids in the form of full ownership unbundling. Gas production and supply will be separated from transmission grid though Independent Transmission Operator.
Rules included in the Third Energy Package are primarily meant to enhance liberalization of the natural gas and electricity markets, consumer rights and powers, and independence of regulators.
The law on regulation in network industries should safeguard higher independence of the regulatory office and its powers in the sphere of setting regulated prices and control activity in the regulated entities. The proposed powers should prevent possible non-transparent financial transactions hampering the development of competition on the market and discriminating against other players on the electricity and gas markets. The adoption of the amendment ends the regulation of the price of gas intended for heat generation for homes. Moreover, the Economy Ministry will no longer review the approved price proposals. The president will appoint the head of the regulatory office based on the Cabinet’s proposal.
SITA
