Heat energy producers and suppliers grouped in the Polish Chamber of
Heat Commerce (IGCP) have accused the sector watchdog Energy Regulatory
Office (URE) of breaching the free market principle enshrined in the
Polish Constitution. Suppliers are barred from free fixing the price of
heat energy, but instead the URE receives their proposals and fixes an
obligatory charge not subject to change for at least 12 months.
According to URE, the regulations are necessary to guarantee that
suppliers will not overcharge consumers, while ensuring that the
suppliers' interests are also taken care of. In estimating their charge
for the coming year, suppliers are obliged to back their assessment with
verifiable documents of rising costs. Worse still, becoming a supplier
is possible only after receipt of an appropriate license. Currently,
about 1,000 firm or 95% of suppliers have been given licenses. (Prawo i
Gospodarka, p.4). S.M.
