While the prices of natural gas are to stabilize next year and might even drop in the future, according to reports by Energy Regulatory Office, the prices of electric energy for small entrepreneurs will significantly increase: 9,4 % (CEZ Group), 14,4 % (Pražská Energetika Group), and 18% (E.ON Group). All this despite the fact that electric energy prices and their growth are already high even by European standards, states the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs’ Union of the CR. According to its President, David Šeich, energy groups behave as monopolies which use the wrong tools and unnecessarily price increases.
“Entrepreneurs costs thus disproportionately increase, which is reflected in final product prices. This can mean liquidation for a number of small enterprises, “said D. Šeich. He added that energy groups thus probably react to the changing condition in the Czech and European market, but they have chosen the wrong tools of increasing prices.
Increase in energy prices is impudence
The Economic Chamber also views the increase of electric energy prices as groundless. “The increase in electric energy prices is exorbitant and I dare to say rude to all consumers who cannot defend themselves and who need the energy, “said the President of Economic Chamber, Petr Kužel. He added that the Economic Chamber calls on the Government to tackle the question of increasing electric energy prices in the CR in a similar way as it tackled the situation of natural gas and implemented relevant measures to prevent further increase in prices which has a very negative impact on domestic consumers. He appreciated the information by RWE which states that gas prices will remain the same as this year. “At least one piece of good news for entrepreneurs who try hard to economize on their expenditures, especially now in times of economic recession, “concluded P. Kužel.
We want regular meetings and a discussion
According to D. Šeich, energy groups in the Czech market behave like uncompetitive monopolies. “Instead of following the route of fair economic competition and reacting to the present market situation of decreasing prices of oil and coal by decreasing energy prices, they do the opposite and illogically increase the prices, “he pointed out.
It is all mostly about compensating financial losses of the groups due to developing production of supported electricity (e.g. renewable sources of energy), about increased investments into advancement, decrease of auction profits, which decreased the cost of electricity transportation and expected drop in electricity consumption. “However, when we compare the huge increase of electricity prices, the inflation factor is not well-founded. In order to tackle the situation we would like to see a regular forum of the representatives of entrepreneurs and energy groups where they could discuss the matter, “added D. Šeich.
Possibilities of influence over the prices
Also the Minister of Industry and commerce, Martin Říman, reacted to the report by the Energy Regulatory Office and he intends to call a meeting with the representatives of ČEZ, E.ON and PRE groups. Other participants to the meeting will be representatives of the Energy Regulatory Office, Confederation of Industry and Economic Chamber. They should discuss the course of energy prices after the year 2009 and possibilities how companies could influence the prices of energy. “I want to look into the possibilities how consumers could influence the price of electricity that they take. We will also discuss the electric energy prices after the year 2009, “Martin Říman commented on the meeting that is being organized.