BRATISLAVA, June 16, (WEBNOVINY) — Household prices of natural gas will increase for the second time this year. Chief of the Regulatory Office for Network Industries Jozef Holjencik announced a 6.92-percent increase on average as of July 20 at Thursday’s press conference. The regulator also approved 9.37-percent growth in prices of gas used in heat production. Holjencik estimates that this hike will result in a 6-percent increase in heating prices on average.
Homes in the D1 tariff (Cooking) will pay almost 1.9 euros more annually. Annual bill in the D2 tariff (Cooking + Hot Water) will rise by over 34 euros. Finally, the D3 category (+Heating) will see an increase by more than 77 euros, the regulator calculated.
Gas supplier Slovensky Plynarensky Priemysel (SPP) proposed a nearly 8-percent increase in household gas prices as of July 2011, while the rate for gas used to produce heat should soar by over 40 percent. Based on its own analyses, the regulator did not approve the submitted proposals, according to Holjencik.
SPP complains that the new prices will cover only part of costs of gas supplies in regulated segments and, therefore, the company predicts losses from these activities. The valid price regulation does not reflect the economic reality and is not based on principles of just price regulation, SPP spokesperson Ondrej Sebesta said in reaction to the regulator’s decision.
SITA