BiH citizens unaware that from January 1 they will be able to buy electricity from anyone

Bosnia and Herzegovina ratified the Treaty establishing the Energy Community of Southeast Europe in 2006, thereby accepting the application of European Union directives on the energy market, environmental protection, improving energy efficiency, competition and renewable energy according to the timetable set by the Treaty, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

The signatory countries of this Treaty commit to establishing a common electricity market among themselves that will function according to the standards and rules of the European Union energy market, with which it will integrate. In accordance with the state agreement with the Energy Community, as of January 1, 2015, the electricity market in BiH will be open to all customers, including households. This means that every customer will be able to purchase electricity on the market from a supplier of their choice. There are currently 24 registered suppliers in BiH.

Prompted by the opening of the electricity market, the Center for Education and Raising Awareness about the Need to Increase Energy Efficiency - Energis, as part of its regular activities, conducted a survey among visitors to the Energis.ba portal regarding the opening of the electricity market in BiH, with the aim of assessing the readiness and awareness of citizens about the opening of the electricity market in BiH and the work of competent bodies and institutions in preparing the population for this significant change.

Is BiH ready for the opening of the electricity market?

To the question „Are you familiar with the preparations for the opening of the electricity market in BiH as of January 1, 2015?“ 33.75% of citizens answered that they are familiar, while the remaining 66.25% of citizens are not familiar or have never heard of the market opening. The question arises as to why no one from the competent institutions has conducted a public campaign at the state level aimed at raising awareness and informing citizens about the opening of the electricity market in BiH?

Prompted by possible sanctions from the Energy Community due to BiH's failure to fulfill internationally assumed obligations, respondents were asked „Do you expect Bosnia and Herzegovina to fulfill its obligations under the Treaty establishing the Energy Community by January 1, 2015, as planned?“ only 8.75% of respondents answered „Yes, completely“ while 55% of respondents answered „Yes, partially“ and 36.25% with „No“. This illustrates the level of trust citizens have in BiH institutions.

In which direction are electricity prices in BiH heading?

A representative of the Regulatory Commission for Energy in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - FERK, stated at a press conference that electricity prices will depend on the customer's ability to negotiate a favorable package, but it is unrealistic to expect a drop in electricity prices. Citizens are skeptical about electricity prices, with 25% believing that there will be an increase in electricity prices, while 50% of citizens believe that BiH will finally have market-competitive prices, and the remaining 25% believe that prices will remain the same.

To reduce electricity costs, 68.75% of citizens would change their supplier if they received better electricity prices from another supplier. Of the total surveyed citizens, only 7% are satisfied with their current supplier and would not change it, while 22.50% of respondents would not change their supplier because they do not want to risk their electricity supply.

The survey results clearly indicate: the necessity of conducting comprehensive continuous activities to inform users, both households and, even more significantly, business entities, about all elements of the open market;
the necessity of presenting registered electricity suppliers as a possible alternative choice for citizens; the necessity of presenting and explaining the role and importance of brokers in the electricity market.

About Energis: The Center for Education and Raising Awareness about the Need to Increase Energy Efficiency - Energis is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to promoting energy efficiency, clean energy, the use of renewable sources, a healthy environment, and their impact on the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina.