The new year is slowly approaching and with it the effectiveness of Government Regulation No. 298/2022 Coll., on the determination of electricity and gas prices in an extraordinary market situation, which aims to moderate the current events on the energy market that affect everyone’s life, at least a little. Those, who already know that electricity flows to them on low voltage level and that they fall into the household or small consumer category in terms of gas consumption, can sleep a little more soundly. Some others may also have already supplied their electricity and gas trader with the declaration required by the regulation to ensure supply below the capped prices.

Legally, however, there are those who have not yet had time to deal with this agenda, or are simply confused as to whether or not they are entitled to support and, if so, in what form and how to get it. The only people, who do not have to actively do anything to cap prices, are low-voltage electricity customers and anyone, who uses gas as a household or retail customer. In addition to these, schools and educational establishments, health and social service providers, water or sewerage operators, public cultural service providers and some public contracting authorities also have 100% of their energy prices capped. Small and medium-sized enterprises are entitled to a price cap of 80 % of the consumption calculated from previous years and, in the case of gas, additionally also those, who use gas for the production of heat energy for a single building or for heat distribution equipment. However, they all need to provide their energy trader with a customer declaration according to the relevant templates included in the regulation in order to receive support. They should do so via an electronic system operated by the trader or, if the trader does not operate such a system, via a data mailbox, and if this is not possible, then in paper form. The last date for submitting the declaration that will still be reflected in the January billing is 15 January 2023. The declaration can of course be delivered at any time, but the discounted prices will only be applied from the month following its delivery. 

For large companies that do not fall under the regulation, the 2022 Temporary Crisis Framework Grant Call I has been announced. Applications are accepted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade from 15 November 2022 to 31 January 2023 electronically via the AIS information system.

If you are one of the lucky ones, who have it sorted, we heartily congratulate you. If you are one of the others, we offer you a helping hand with assessing eligibility and possibly with the customer declaration or subsidy application. And we wish everyone a peaceful Advent.

Author: Veronika Odrobinová, Olga Králíčková