Last year, according to Eurostat data, the Czech Republic had the most expensive electricity in the European Union in terms of purchasing power of the population. According to economists, the interplay of several factors is responsible for this – in addition to the method of electricity production, stronger state support abroad. People who have to pay high arrears are realizing this right now, because they did not respond to market developments by changing the amount of advance payments.
When the energy bill came to Mr. Stanislav from Ostrava, he was not surprised. He will have to pay seven thousand for heating. “I kept heating because the house is not insulated. The windows are still old wooden ones,” he told CNN Prima NEWS. He fears that the total cost will increase even more when he receives his electricity bill. “I’ve lived there for forty years and I’m paying extra for the first time,” he added.
READ ALSO: Will apples become more expensive due to the frozen harvest? There are other scenarios at play, the crisis revealed an unexpected problem
Stanislav, however, did not collect any advances for the whole of last year. According to experts, this was a mistake. “This goes hand in hand with how the customer monitors the contract. If he didn’t take care of it, didn’t deal with the increase in advances, the invoicing could end up with big arrears,” explained energy analyst Jan Béreš to CNN Prima NEWS.
His recommendations were acknowledged in the streets by the Czechs, who increased their deposits. “We took the deposits and they gave us back 12,300,” one of those interviewed told CNN Prima NEWS.
The journey to a sad first
At the same time, energy prices in the country were extreme last year. For example, Czechs paid the most in the European Union for electricity in the second half of the year after conversion to purchasing power. It was also more accessible in Cyprus, Germany or Italy – despite the fact that prices are higher there in net value.
“Thanks to the fact that they have higher wages and spend a smaller part of their wages on energy-related costs, it would work out cheaper. In addition, we have relatively lower wages compared to Western Europe – in principle, in this cocktail, they led to the fact that we got the unpleasant first place,” explained economist Pavel Peterka to CNN Prima NEWS.
However, according to experts, the situation should improve in the future. “From a pricing point of view, it will be very important if nothing breaks. We see conflict in the Middle East, so there are risks. However, if nothing breaks, the price of electricity and gas should stagnate or decrease slightly,” said Peterka.
It will also depend, for example, on the state of nuclear power plants in Europe. Even their long repairs contributed to the crisis.
YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED IT: The nightmare of self-employed people is approaching. This year, the tax return is awaiting a novelty, thousands of people are at risk of penalties
Tags: Czech Republic expensive electricity year People pay thousands experts problem
-
