ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - The Croatian government moved into parliamentary procedure a packet of bills relating to the liberalisation of energy supply market, and a suggestion by which fines for stealing electricity would be
drastically increased. The entire energy supply sector reform has been structured so as to have the market regulate by special laws, vice-premier Goran Granic said. The state is being drawn out of the entire system, so the market and competent agency is taking over their function, Granic said. Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic said the final goals of the energy sector reforms was the opportunity for the consumer to choose their energy supplier, and all this should lead to the lessening of electricity prices. Due to unsolicited spending, rather the stealing of electricity, the Croatian electricity company HEP, is at an annual loss of about 100 million kuna, the government stressed, and forwarded a
ZAGREB, April 26 (Hina) - The Croatian government moved into
parliamentary procedure a packet of bills relating to the
liberalisation of energy supply market, and a suggestion by which
fines for stealing electricity would be drastically increased.
The entire energy supply sector reform has been structured so as to
have the market regulate by special laws, vice-premier Goran Granic
said.
The state is being drawn out of the entire system, so the market and
competent agency is taking over their function, Granic said.
Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic said the final goals of the energy
sector reforms was the opportunity for the consumer to choose their
energy supplier, and all this should lead to the lessening of
electricity prices.
Due to unsolicited spending, rather the stealing of electricity,
the Croatian electricity company HEP, is at an annual loss of about
100 million kuna, the government stressed, and forwarded
amendments to the Law on Electric Supply Industry into urgent
parliamentary procedure.
The amendments significantly increase fines for stealing
electricity, and even three years in prison for unsolicited
plugging into the network.
The government has given confirmation to two agreements on loans
Croatia would receive from the Council of Europe's Development
Bank. The first loan is intended for the project for the caring and
accommodating refugees and is worth 464 million kuna, half of which
will finance through loans and the rest through the budget.
The second project is to reconstruct schools according to the same
loan/budget ratio. The project is worth 197 million kuna.
Croatia's oil company INA received the government's guarantee, and
a 36 million euro loan by the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development for 17 projects.
(hina) lml sb