Kebort stated that already during September, several hundred consumers complained to the ERO about a unilateral change in the fixed price by Bohemia Energy and Europe Easy Energy. Now the number of such consumer complaints reaches several hundred every day, the spokesman said.
“We are receiving an extreme number of complaints about the behavior of these two companies, which is why we decided to exceptionally inform the public about our steps already at the stage of initiating the investigation. People complain not only about the premature termination of the price fixation. Another big question is how these companies are persuading consumers to switch from fixed products to variable prices set by the stock exchange. This is the exact opposite of the security offered by fixation, “said Stanislav Trávníček, Chairman of the ERO Council.
The Office pointed out that it must not anticipate the outcome of the investigation, but reminded that in general it can impose a fine of up to five million for violations of the Consumer Protection Act. In extreme cases, where there are repeated and serious violations of the law, the ERO may proceed to the revocation of the license.
Bohemia Energy and Europe Easy Energy belong to the same Bohemia Energy business group, which is the largest group of alternative energy suppliers in the Czech Republic.
In response, the group said that the market situation was completely unprecedented and a very difficult period for itself. “Fixed prices can cover normal market fluctuations. But the current situation on the energy market is so extreme that with rapid growth, it is not possible to maintain the existing fixations. We are very sorry. We do not abdicate our responsibility and we try to actively solve the whole situation with the ERO and the affected customers, “said spokeswoman Hana Novotná.
“Our company is not involved in the absolutely frantic increase in wholesale prices; on the contrary, we must address, like our customers, its direct consequences. Other suppliers will gradually take similar steps, “she added.
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Termination of deliveries
According to the office, another of the named companies, Lumius, sends customers a message informing them of the termination of gas supplies. Among the addressed customers are also heating plants, which they supply to households. At the same time, the company is already entering requirements for shortening gas supplies into the market operator’s system. The ERO recalled that if Lumius went bankrupt, its customers would be taken care of by a so-called supplier of last resort, except for those whose consumption exceeds 630 megawatt hours of gas per year.
“The chosen procedure, when the company terminated deliveries only to some customers, but in practice means that all addressed customers must immediately find a new supplier. This causes them complications, for example, in relation to the deadlines arising from the Public Procurement Act. In addition, they have to reckon with the fact that the new supplier will offer them a delivery at a current, many times higher price than they had agreed with the original supplier, “said Kebort. According to him, the acquisition of a new supplier, which could provide energy for new customers, is now proving a problem.
“We believe that the Office’s actions will be a strong warning to all suppliers who would like to solve their problems at the expense of consumers in violation of the law. The contracts are to be fulfilled, and this applies to both parties, even in the current conditions, when energy prices on stock exchanges are rising dramatically. If our proceedings confirm the conduct of traders in violation of the contracts or any other illegal conduct, the ERO will file a criminal complaint against the executives of such companies. Due to the seriousness and unprecedented scope of this action, we will hold them to personal responsibility, “added Trávníček.
In response, Lumius CEO Pavel Miklas referred to the company’s September announcement on its website. “Given the unprecedented situation in the energy markets, Lumius, a supplier of electricity and gas, hereby announces that it has been forced to restructure its portfolio and reorganize its operations. The company informs the customers affected by the situation about its procedure individually, “it states.
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The President of the Confederation of Trade and Tourism of the Czech Republic, Tomáš Prouza, said that it turns out that the legislation on consumer protection in the energy market does not remember such extraordinary situations. “It will therefore be necessary to finalize it in the wording of the new energy law,” he warned.
According to data from the Electricity Market Operator, Bohemia Energy entities supplied electricity to about 400,000 customers and gas to about 190,000 customers at the end of August. Europe Easy Energy had about 39,000 customers on electricity and about 21,000 on gas. Lumius supplied electricity to about 8,000 and gas to about 3,200 customers.
Wholesale prices of electricity and gas have recently risen to record highs, so some price lists of suppliers may become more expensive by tens of percent or even many times.
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