Local self-governments have not yet considered the possibility of giving up part of the income, in order to motivate citizens with relief to gasify their households.
The idea of local governments giving up at least part of the gas connection fee in order to persuade potential consumers to gasify their households has not progressed much. With the reduction of those taxes, the gas connection would cost almost half less, around 780 euros. According to the information available to the Ministry of Energy, local governments have not considered this issue in an organized manner. Therefore, the next step of this ministry will be in the direction of considering all possibilities for promoting the use of gas as an energy source, it was confirmed to “Politika”.
The reason why gas is not consumed to a greater extent in Serbia is precisely the high taxes, which most households cannot pay. According to the data of the first man of the Energy Agency of Serbia, Dejan Popovic, only six administrative districts can be said to be completely gasified, that every municipality within the district has gas. 11 districts were partially gasified, as well as Belgrade, but, for example, Lazarevac is not. And even in 13 districts, no municipality has been gasified.
Although due to high air pollution (due to heating plants that still consume fuel oil, and due to individual consumers who heat with coal), calling for the introduction of gas under more favorable conditions should be a priority, the public is served stories about the need to reorganize public companies, primarily “Srbijagas”.
Asked why this issue is so important, the relevant ministry told “Politika” that the reforms must be implemented regardless of the existing resistance, because they are in the interest of both gas companies and citizens. These changes had to be implemented a long time ago. Any delay only contributed to the realization of the interests of individuals at the head of companies, to the detriment of the interests of citizens and those companies.
Reorganization is necessary due to the development of the gas sector in Serbia, because only a reformed company can operate sustainably, efficiently, and make a profit. Otherwise, we will still have “Srbijagas”, whose business is not sustainable and which is not able to complete any project without the help of the state. Reforming that company is important so that we do not get into a situation where the state covers 1.2 billion euros of debt of “Srbijagas”, as it did in previous years.
With the separation of activities in the gas sector and the existence of an independent transport system operator, market development is possible, which leads to falling natural gas prices, as well as more organized and profitable business of companies engaged in this activity, which will benefit all citizens. From the aspect of security of supply, more suppliers means a greater possibility of supply in crisis situations, Politika reports.
