The New System of Calculating Network Charges for Electricity Raises Concerns Again
A family from Kranj that invested in a solar power plant this year is reeling from the impact of the new network charging system on their electricity bill. With the latest bill, which calculates the network fee under the new system, they are no longer sure if their decision was the right one. While in October they paid just over six euros for the network fee without VAT, the amount skyrocketed to almost 56 euros at the start of the high season.
“This is truly unacceptable. In a way, they are encouraging us to transition to green energy with subsidies. We also have a heat pump, which means we are not polluting the environment. Our investment was meant to pay off over ten years, but with this new law, it basically won’t,” explains Klemen Smolej.
Director of the Energy Agency, Duška Godina, responds to the criticism: “Because households with a solar power plant and heat pump, who rely on electricity during winter just like those without solar plants, it is only fair for them to pay more for the network than they did before. They will still benefit greatly from purchasing a solar power plant and the annual NET-metering scheme.”
What does the new system mean for the average household consumer? Upon reviewing a bill, it is evident that the network fee has increased from just over five euros to a little over 14 euros during the winter season.
And what about businesses and craftsmen? At the Kope ski resort, the network fee was slightly over 15,000 euros in November last year, but this year it has risen by over 7,000 euros. “The new network charging system is not suitable for an industry like cable cars, as we actually consume electricity in zones, not in blocks. This system is unsuitable, unfair, and discriminatory for us,” says Boštjan Paradiž from the Kope ski resort.
Unlike households, craftsmen struggle to redistribute their electricity consumption throughout the day, warns the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Blaž Cvar, adding: “Metalworkers who work the morning shift won’t start working in the afternoon.”
FAQs:
Q: How has the new network charging system affected households?
A: The network fee for households has increased significantly under the new system, leading to higher electricity bills.
Q: What is the impact on businesses and craftsmen?
A: Businesses, such as ski resorts, have seen a substantial rise in network charges, making it difficult for them to operate cost-effectively. Craftsmen find it challenging to adjust their energy consumption patterns due to the new system.