The universal service will be available for consumption to microenterprises

The Bill on Amendments to the Electricity Market Act initiated by the Economic Affairs Committee, passed the second reading at the sitting. It is intended to establish an opportunity for micro and small enterprises to buy electrical energy from a seller of electricity at the price regulated by the Competition Authority, that is, as a universal service from this November to the end of 2023. The Bill is intended to prevent the loss of competitiveness of the enterprises in the target group, and termination of their activities.

According to the Bill, the universal service will be available for consumption to microenterprises, that is, enterprises which employ fewer than 10 persons and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million, and small enterprises, that is, enterprises which employ fewer than 50 persons and whose annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 10 million.

According to the Bill, the possibility to buy electricity as a universal service will also extend to sole proprietors, foundations and non-profit organisations who consume energy to the extent of up to one gigawatt hour in a year. When the consumption volume is used up, the opportunity to buy the universal service will end, and not later than within 10 days after that the seller of electricity will make a proposal to enter into a new electricity contract. If the consumer refuses this and does not enter into a new electricity contract or choose another seller of electricity, the seller of electricity will sell electricity to the consumer at the hourly price on the electricity exchange.

According to the Bill, enterprises will have to inform the seller of electricity of their wish to transfer to the universal service or will have to express their consent to an offer by the seller.