ZAGREB, May 24 (Hina) - Most MPs at the Croatian Parliament on Wednesday supported a packet of bills on the reform of the energy supply system. MPs criticised primarily the authority of the agency for regulating energy supply needs
which has been announced. The MPs are concerned that which agency would have more authority than the Economy Ministry. Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic explained the agency should guarantee an equal market race and the protection of the consumer. He stressed the reform of the energy supply system would be of use to big users, such as the iron factory in Sisak, Dalmacijacement or Petrokemija, which would import electricity and gas at more affordable prices, which would reduce their expenses. The MPs also said the reform should be implemented because of the obligations Croatia has assumed towards the International Monetary Fund, but many members of parliament believe that a law on such an im
ZAGREB, May 24 (Hina) - Most MPs at the Croatian Parliament on
Wednesday supported a packet of bills on the reform of the energy
supply system.
MPs criticised primarily the authority of the agency for regulating
energy supply needs which has been announced. The MPs are concerned
that which agency would have more authority than the Economy
Ministry.
Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic explained the agency should
guarantee an equal market race and the protection of the consumer.
He stressed the reform of the energy supply system would be of use to
big users, such as the iron factory in Sisak, Dalmacijacement or
Petrokemija, which would import electricity and gas at more
affordable prices, which would reduce their expenses.
The MPs also said the reform should be implemented because of the
obligations Croatia has assumed towards the International Monetary
Fund, but many members of parliament believe that a law on such an
important sector should not be passed hastily. They warned that an
open energy market could have "catastrophic consequences".
It was thus suggested that the next discussion on the package of
five bills be held after Croatia's development strategy is adopted,
which will show how much electricity the country needs.
Fizulic stressed the bills were based on the strategy of energy
supply reform which the Croatian parliament adopted last year, and
are being harmonised with EU legislation.
Suggested is the reform on the concept of a so-called open market by
which consumers would be able to chose from where they would buy
electricity, and big companies could import cheaper electricity
which would decrease their expenses.
The agency for regulating energy supply services would be
independent and would guarantee a fair market race, Fizulic said.
He stressed that the HEP utility company and INA oil company are
being restructured, for which foreign experts have been called in.
They should soon complete their work, and the five bills -- on
energy, regulation of energy services, electricity market, oil and
gas -- should be adopted by July 1 because of obligations from the
stand-by arrangement with the IMF.
However, the laws would be applied from January 1 next year, and an
additional adjustment period is also possible, he said.
(hina) lml