Although we are aware that it is unpopular to raise prices, this rise has been necessary so as to ensure the normal functioning of the Croatian Power Industry (HEP) and prevent power shortages, Economy Minister Branko Vukelic said.
Prime Minister Ivo Sanader stressed that in any other case there would be power shortages.
The power prices has not been changed since September 2002, and in the meantime costs of the state-run HEP business performance increased, Vukelic explained.
Over the several past days, a majority of trade union federations flayed the announcement of a rise in the price of electricity.