14/02/2012 12:43
Cyprus is not yet in line with the European directive on the protection of the vulnerable groups of consumers and the prohibition of an electricity supply cut off in periods of crisis.
The subject was entered by DISY MP, Stella Kyriakidou and was examined by the House Commerce Committee today, arousing strong feelings to its members for the harmonization delay.
Mrs. Kyriakidou urged the government to prepare an action plan for the energy crisis the soonest possible.
She stressed that due to the economic crisis and the non enforcement of the directive, many citizens cannot pay their electricity bills.
According to CERA and the Commerce Ministry, however, the government has already prepared a bill including provisions of the directive.
According to CERA representative, Maria-Eleni Velenta, the bill includes all measures for the protection of the consumers.
She suggested that there is the notion of energy poverty, which will be determined by the Commerce Ministers together with CERA as well as the energy plan, the measures that must be taken and the criteria to be followed.
She also emphasized that the bill includes a provision for the prohibition of electricity cut, however, consumers falling under vulnerable groups will not be relieved immediately since they have to expect the adoption of the energy crisis plan first.
On behalf of the Commerce Ministry, Marios Handriotis said that the Ministry received the plan last Monday and wondered whether the Finance Ministry will be able to include the prohibition in power cut in the offsetting measures.
EAC representative, Andreas Tsangarides noted that in 2006 the Authority launched deliberations with CERA in order to specify the vulnerable groups.
According to former EU directive, the vulnerable groups of consumers are those living with the use of electrified equipment, persons over 68 years, and people with impaired vision, hearing and mental illness.
Mr. Tsangarides said that there is special tariff for those persons as well as families with many children.
He warned that if the vulnerable groups are not specified, EAC will not be able to adopt the plan.
“Based on previous European Directives, EAC showed sensitiveness to those specified as vulnerable groups and did not proceed with power cuts”, he added.
Mr. Tsangarides submitted certain documents according to which 23,751 households, on the basis of 2008 directive, pay special electricity tariffs.
CERA Vice Chairman, Constantinos Iliopoulos said that each Commerce Minister must specify the vulnerable groups.
Representative of the Ombudsman stressed that in periods of financial crisis the state must support the vulnerable groups.
She recommended that EAC does not cut off electricity until the bill is submitted.
Chairman of the House Commerce committee and DISY MP, Lefteris Christoforou warned that if the government fails to submit the bill in two months, the Committee will try to adopt the provisions included in the European Directive.
Members of the Commerce Committee said that the only benefit that vulnerable groups currently enjoy is the different electricity tariff, which “burdens the rest of the consumers”.
The subject was entered by DISY MP, Stella Kyriakidou and was examined by the House Commerce Committee today, arousing strong feelings to its members for the harmonization delay.
Mrs. Kyriakidou urged the government to prepare an action plan for the energy crisis the soonest possible.
She stressed that due to the economic crisis and the non enforcement of the directive, many citizens cannot pay their electricity bills.
According to CERA and the Commerce Ministry, however, the government has already prepared a bill including provisions of the directive.
According to CERA representative, Maria-Eleni Velenta, the bill includes all measures for the protection of the consumers.
She suggested that there is the notion of energy poverty, which will be determined by the Commerce Ministers together with CERA as well as the energy plan, the measures that must be taken and the criteria to be followed.
She also emphasized that the bill includes a provision for the prohibition of electricity cut, however, consumers falling under vulnerable groups will not be relieved immediately since they have to expect the adoption of the energy crisis plan first.
On behalf of the Commerce Ministry, Marios Handriotis said that the Ministry received the plan last Monday and wondered whether the Finance Ministry will be able to include the prohibition in power cut in the offsetting measures.
EAC representative, Andreas Tsangarides noted that in 2006 the Authority launched deliberations with CERA in order to specify the vulnerable groups.
According to former EU directive, the vulnerable groups of consumers are those living with the use of electrified equipment, persons over 68 years, and people with impaired vision, hearing and mental illness.
Mr. Tsangarides said that there is special tariff for those persons as well as families with many children.
He warned that if the vulnerable groups are not specified, EAC will not be able to adopt the plan.
“Based on previous European Directives, EAC showed sensitiveness to those specified as vulnerable groups and did not proceed with power cuts”, he added.
Mr. Tsangarides submitted certain documents according to which 23,751 households, on the basis of 2008 directive, pay special electricity tariffs.
CERA Vice Chairman, Constantinos Iliopoulos said that each Commerce Minister must specify the vulnerable groups.
Representative of the Ombudsman stressed that in periods of financial crisis the state must support the vulnerable groups.
She recommended that EAC does not cut off electricity until the bill is submitted.
Chairman of the House Commerce committee and DISY MP, Lefteris Christoforou warned that if the government fails to submit the bill in two months, the Committee will try to adopt the provisions included in the European Directive.
Members of the Commerce Committee said that the only benefit that vulnerable groups currently enjoy is the different electricity tariff, which “burdens the rest of the consumers”.
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