In Estonia, the ruling coalition parties have arrived at a deal to alleviate the high energy prices to both households and businesses, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports.
After a long debate on the pressing issue, the Reform Party and the Centre Party announced on Thursday, January 20, that the state would compensate electricity prices exceeding EUR 0.12 per kilowatt-hour. «An agreement was reached and we now have a supplemental measure for private consumers. The compensation will be automatically added to the electricity bill, we will fully compensate electricity bills where the price exceeds EUR 0.12 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), up to 650 kWh», MP Mart Võrklaev from the Reform Party faction unveiled. «Some 80 percent of families consuming less than 650 kWh fit under this framework, but this measure helps everyone, it is valid for everyone up to 650 kWh».
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A similar measured has been implemented for gas prices, set at EUR 65 per megawatt-hours (Mwh) for the state to compensate the consumer 100% for any prices exceeding the price limit for 2.75 Mwh of gas consumption.
The government led by Kaja Kallas from the Reform Party also reached an agreement on lowering network fees for businesses. «If that is 50 percent for everyone today, then we will take the companies’ share to zero. What we are still set to discuss is how to make a measure regarding gas for companies», according to Võrklaev as quoted by ERR.
Estonia announces measures to compensate high energy prices
