The Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) is investigating energy suppliers Bohemia Energy, Europe Easy Energy and Lumius for possible unfair practices in the energy market. Office spokesman Michal Kebort said this. For Bohemia Energy and Europe Easy Energy, which belong to the same business group, the ERO investigates possible breaches of the Consumer Protection Act. In response, the group said it believed it had not violated the legislation.
Kebort stated that the ERO specifically addresses the suspicion of the use of prohibited unfair commercial practices at Bohemia Energy and Europe Easy Energy. Kebort said that already in September, several hundred consumers complained to the office 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 have an extreme number of complaints about the behavior of these two companies, so we decided to exceptionally inform the public about our steps already at the beginning of the investigation. People complain not only about the premature termination of price fixing. The big question is also how these companies they persuade consumers to switch from fixed products to variable prices set by the stock exchange, which is the exact opposite of the security offered by fixation, “said ERO Council Chairman Stanislav Trávníček on Friday.
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.
In response, the Bohemia Energy Group stated that the market situation is 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. affected customers, “said company spokeswoman Hana Novotná.
“Our company is not involved in the absolutely frantic increase in wholesale prices, on the contrary, we must address, as well as our customers, its direct consequences. Similar steps will be gradually taken by other suppliers. We try to communicate with our customers directly and transparently – ie we do not hide For the publication of price lists, it is unknown where on the web, although we do not currently provide happy news to customers, “added Novotná.
Unexpected termination of contracts
Another of the named companies, Lumius, then, according to the office, sends customers a message informing them of the termination of gas supplies. Among the addressed customers are also heating plants that supply heat 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.
On Friday, Lumius CEO Pavel Miklas referred to the company’s September announcement on its website. “In view of the unprecedented situation in the energy markets, Lumius, the electricity and gas supplier, hereby announces that it has been forced to restructure its portfolio and reorganize its operations. The company informs the customers concerned about its progress individually,” in him.
Trávníček further stated that the ERO believes that its 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.
“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. Due to the seriousness and unprecedented scope of this action, we will hold them to personal responsibility, “added Trávníček.
The President of the Confederation of Trade and Tourism of the Czech Republic, Tomáš Prouza, said on Friday 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, as soon as possible after the elections. The Trade Union is ready to cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the ERO,” he added.
According to data from the Electricity Market Operator (OTE), 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 around 39,000 customers on electricity and around 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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