While other countries in the region and the EU bring or announce reliefs, discounts and reductions in electricity prices, Montenegro is still not considering correcting bills for its citizens, announced Democratic Montenegro.
"Despite the fact that we are a country that continuously has the most expensive price in the region, and in relation to the purchasing power of citizens we are on average with EU countries, then it is really unacceptable that citizens in a period of dramatic socio-economic crisis do not have any help in that segment. Also, if we take into account the fact that the consumption of electricity has increased, taking into account the measures of staying at home, it is clear that the bills for March are higher, and accordingly, a blow to the weak and depleted household budgets of our citizens," states the statement signed by Zdenka Popović, vice-president of the Democrats and deputy in the Parliament of Montenegro.
She adds that in the surrounding area, many countries have decided to reduce their electricity bills for the three months of the crisis.
"Let's take for example those countries in the region whose citizens have significantly greater purchasing power and better standards. Thus, the Company for Trade and Supply of Energy (GEN-I) approved a 15 percent discount for households and small businesses in Slovenia. Consumers there in that category will pay an average of 30 percent less over three months, if state support measures are also taken into account. The same company will reduce electricity prices in Croatia by 15% for the household category. In Serbia, the Government announced the postponement of over-the-counter bill payments for 90 days, while the Energy Companies in BiH they are also considering measures to support and help citizens," the announcement states.
The Democrats point out that there is a possibility of reduction, and cite examples in support of this.
"That in Montenegro there is room for a three-month reduction in electricity prices is confirmed by several data. According to official data from the electricity exchange (HUPX), the price of MWh of electricity in the period 01.01. - 15.04.2020 is lower by as much as 27% compared to prices in the same period of 2019. Also, for the first 15 days of April 2020, prices are as much as 52% lower compared to the first 15 days of April 2019
Secondly, Elektroprivreda Crne Gore is financially strong enough to bear the burden of helping citizens, i.e. users, without jeopardizing its business. For example, the annual assembly of Elektroprivreda Montenegro, which was held in August 2019, considered reports on operations, according to which a net profit was achieved in the amount of slightly more than 44 million euros. Business continuity with profit continued in 2019. Pljevlja Coal Mine also made a profit of 9,5 million euros last year.
Thirdly, EPCG is a state-owned company for which even under regular circumstances profit is not the only business motive, and least of all extra profit in a time of severe socio-economic crisis. Accordingly, EPCG has no excuse for remaining silent and turning its head away from the citizens' problems," the announcement states.
Democrats claim that their proposal to reduce the price of electricity in the disputed period by 60 percent is realistic.
"This measure would actually prevent the accumulation of extra profits. It would enable citizens to allocate part of their household budgets to bread, milk and other basic food items instead of accumulating EPCG extra profits. This is direct and concrete help. Currently, the situation is such that around 90% of the citizens of Montenegro Gore will not have any privilege from EPCG, although it is clear that citizens are forced to spend their time at home due to the measures in force and thus create much greater consumption, which the Corona profiteer called EPCG wants to in such an inhumane way valorizes," the announcement states.
They add that some want to profit in this time.
"Finally, if these analyzes are taken into account, it is clear that the Government of Montenegro, EPCG and the banking sector are not interested in helping citizens, but in making additional profits in times of crisis. It is precisely the banks and EPCG that are the first in the table of corona profiteering in Montenegro", concludes in the statement.
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