Naša stranka: There will be no one to pay for electricity, the FBiH Government has a duty and obligation to protect the economy

(Patria) - The Government of the Federation of BiH, as the majority owner in the energy sector, has a duty and obligation to protect both businessmen and citizens of the Federation of BiH – stated Naša stranka regarding the announced increase in electricity prices for businessmen by three to four times.

The Club of Naša stranka in the FBiH Parliament has proposed protection models in this regard. They support the employers' request, who believe that the price increase cannot be more than 20 percent compared to September 1, 2021.

“The employers’ request is realistic. It also proves that employers are not acting selfishly; they are prepared for an increase, but not by 300 or even 400 percent for some, because it simply cannot be realized for many of them. They won’t be able to pay it because they will have to close their businesses. Only certain SDA tycoons will be able to pay it, and they will later be compensated for that excess through various shady tender and other activities,” say Naša stranka.

In addition to this request, Naša stranka proposes four more.

“The government must urgently send the Draft Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources to the legislative procedure. By adopting this law, investments in renewable energy sources would be much larger. They would not be limited to select individuals but would include all citizens, as well as business entities. Furthermore, each of them could be both a producer and a consumer of electricity at the same time. If we had this, today’s electricity price increase would not apply to many of those who will be brought to the brink of bankruptcy due to this increase.”

In this regard, there is also the issue of market freedom. When it comes to electricity, it exists only formally. Otherwise, it is deeply ethnically and politically divided, with almost no possibility for other entities to influence the territory governed by Elektroprivreda BiH, Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, or Elektroprivreda Herceg-Bosne.

“Due to the market monopoly we effectively have, businessmen, depending on where they live, are reliant on a single supplier. Currently, those who are dependent on Elektroprivreda BiH are in the most unenviable position. That is why we are asking the Government of the Federation of BiH to fully implement the market rules adopted by the Independent System Operator of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and approved by the Regulatory Commission for Energy in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” say the deputies of Naša stranka in the FBiH Parliament.

What they consider to be the fastest to implement, but also very effective, is for the FBiH Government to oblige the Supervisory Board and management of Elektroprivreda BiH to use retained earnings specifically for the restructuring and rehabilitation of mines, payment of previously incurred mine obligations, and development of renewable energy sources. Also, the FBiH Government should vote against the distribution of profits to shareholders at the Shareholders' Assembly of Elektroprivreda BiH. The Government itself is a shareholder, and by doing so, it would demonstrate its own responsibility.

“It is clear to everyone that the announced price increase has nothing to do with the increase in energy prices on the international market, because BiH is an exporter of electricity, which means it generates enormous profits from this increase on the international stage. The price increase for domestic users will serve to attempt to cover their huge debts. Instead of covering them with the money of the domestic economy, let them do it with the profits from the international market,” are categorical in Naša stranka.

The Club of Naša stranka also requests that the Government of the Federation of BiH, in cooperation with the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament, do everything to ensure that the “Program for the Restructuring of the Power Sector in the Federation of BiH,” which has been awaiting adoption in that house for almost two full years, is considered and adopted as soon as possible.