Energy Watchdog will not Allow Sharp Increase in Electricity Prices

The speculations about the new electricity prices, the procedure for withdrawing CEZ license and the implementation of the investment programmes of the energy companies. These were the main topics that the chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), Ivan Ivanov, commented at a briefing with journalists on 13^th of April

EWRC will not allow a drastic rise in the prices of electricity, Ivan Ivanov said. He pointed out that the commission members’arguments include the investments made by the companies on the basis of which they demand higher prices of electricity. That's why, as of Monday, three EWRC teams will initiate checks in the three electricity distribution companies CEZ, EVN and Energo-Pro to identify what funds were spent on the power and distribution grid, transformers and power metering.

Energo-Pro has demanded an increase in the electricity price by just over 5%, EVN - between 5 and 6%, and the highest price hike was demanded by CEZ - the night rate to go up by over 50%.

In a month and a half, the energy watchdog will decide whether or not to withdraw the CEZ license. The procedure was launched in 2013, not only against the Czech company but also against the other two EDCs. The inspections in them ended in 2017 with the conclusion that there were no facts and circumstances that would necessitate withdrawal of the license. We have yet to find out what the watchdog will decide for CEZ.