ZAGREB, Oct 10 (Hina) - The Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) on Thursday called on the Croatian government to commit the Croatian Power Industry (HEP) to introduce a permanent price system for all industrial consumers whose
electricity bills exceed the planned average increase of 4.5 percent, ensuring that no further increases of the planned average are introduced.
ZAGREB, Oct 10 (Hina) - The Croatian Employers' Association (HUP)
on Thursday called on the Croatian government to commit the
Croatian Power Industry (HEP) to introduce a permanent price system
for all industrial consumers whose electricity bills exceed the
planned average increase of 4.5 percent, ensuring that no further
increases of the planned average are introduced. #L#
The HUP also asked that all future changes to the tariff system for
industry be drafted and agreed on with large consumers.
Before the HUP made these requests, its representatives held a
meeting with representatives of the HEP, led by management chairman
Ivo Covic. The purpose of the meeting was to shed light on the
situation and make exact calculations resulting in the change of
the prices and tariff system.
HUP representatives warned on September 20 that the introduction of
the new tariff system had significantly increased electricity
prices in industry, by 18.5 percent on average, in contrast to an
announced average increase of 5.7 percent.
Citing estimates of the effects of the new tariff system on 50
companies, the HUP stated that electricity bills would in some
cases be increased by more than 30 percent, which would have a
negative effect on the competitiveness of Croatia's economy, and
cause disruption in the functioning of companies.
The HEP had claimed that the average increase in electricity prices
for industrial consumers would be 5.7 percent.
(hina) lml sb