Vattenfall and Ellevio have announced a significant increase in electricity tariffs effective January 1st. These companies serve approximately two million customers, and these increases will have a significant impact on homeowners and apartment dwellers.
For Vattenfall customers, the change means an increase of an average of 14 percent, equivalent to approximately SEK 130 per month for an electrically heated home and SEK 35 for an apartment. Ellevio is raising the fixed fee by eight percent and the variable fee by twelve percent for home customers. For apartment customers, the outcome varies, but the average increase is five percent.
The Green Party’s spokesman Daniel Helldén sharply criticizes the government’s irresponsibility on the issue.
– It is unreasonable that consumers have to bear the entire burden of the electricity network expansion. We have a monopoly system that is not perceived as fair. It is now hitting households hard, he says.
According to Helldén, the government had the chance to act already in yesterday’s parliamentary debate, when the government’s bill on the electricity grid was debated.
Miljöpartiet de gröna
- The government presented its bill on the electricity grid, but chose not to correct the problems. Today, households are instead faced with new increased Ebba Busch prices, he says.
Criticism of the government also comes from other opposition parties, who point out that the government itself has approved the electricity grid companies’ ability to increase fees further. At the same time, the Left Party has called Vattenfall’s management and Minister of Energy and Enterprise Ebba Busch to the Economic and Social Affairs Committee to explain the price increases.
In his comments, the Minister of Energy refers to extensive investment needs and believes that the increases are a consequence of neglected maintenance. The government also points out that the electricity tax will be reduced from the turn of the year.
The Green Party believes that the government’s measures are insufficient. Helldén emphasizes that a fair and transparent system requires clearer regulation and stronger consumer protection.
– We need an electricity grid system where the monopolies of companies are not allowed to burden households time and time again. The government must take responsibility – not stand by while prices skyrocket, says Helldén.
The Green Party continues to push for a more sustainable, robust and fair electricity system where households are not left with the entire cost of expanding the electricity grid.
