The government decided to shorten the general economic interest in connection of coal mining for the purposes of electricity generation from the year 2030 to 2023.
After roughly 20 years, Slovak electricity consumers may stop subsidizing the extraction of the national coal for electricity generation. The Cabinet approved the Proposal for the transition of the Upper Nitra region in connection with the proposal for the general economic interest in order to assure secure electricity supplies. “The general economic interest will be shortened from the year 2030 to 2023 under this document and the following steps that must yet be negotiated with the European Commission,“ Economy Minister Peter Ziga said. Currently, electricity consumers pay approximately 115 million euros a year via their electricity bills for the support of electricity generation from national coal under the general economic interest. Economy Minister Peter Ziga announced on Wednesday that the approved document will be followed by a specific action plan that is to be presented in the first quarter 2019. Ziga emphasized that this is not a simple process than can be done from one day to another. “We will not endanger the social-economic situation in the Upper Nitra and at the same time we will ensure energy security for citizens,“ said Ziga.
Full story in Slovak: Koniec dotovania uhlia sa blíži
