Síkela: Czech Industry Ministry has measures for all energy consumers, compensation for companies

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) has an almost complete package of measures to address the impact of the energy crisis on all groups of consumers. These should include compensation for companies whose profitability has declined. Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela (STAN) said this at today's meeting of a Senate committee. According to him, the planned measures should go beyond any agreements reached in the EU.

Any agreements reached by EU energy ministers will not be sufficient to resolve the crisis, according to Síkela. „We therefore have an almost complete package of measures to regulate and intervene in energy prices. They will target all groups of consumers – households, public services and the corporate sector,“ the minister said.

For households and public services, Síkela said potential options include capping energy prices. The state wants to take a similar approach towards both. At the same time, the minister pointed out that the impact on the state budget will also need to be addressed. This will depend on further developments in the energy market and on agreements at EU level, he said.

For companies, the MPO has proposed compensation. Previously proposed compensation for businesses that fell into operating losses was not sufficient, according to the minister. The new proposal should therefore also offer the possibility of compensation to companies whose profitability has fallen more significantly due to the current crisis. In such a case, the state would distribute compensation according to pre-set criteria.

Síkela also reiterated that Czechia cannot leave the Europe-wide electricity market. „While we export electricity to neighbouring countries, we are, on the other hand, 100% dependent on imports of gas and oil. We therefore cannot leave the electricity market and subsequently demand solidarity in other markets,“ the minister added.

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