Levica: ERC prepares tariff overhaul with companies, public will learn when their bill arrives

Left-wing party Levica accused the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), led by Aco Ristov, of running a public relations campaign about expanding the cheap electricity tariff while quietly preparing a full overhaul of the tariff system that could shift costs onto consumers.

Levica says the advertised “four cheap hours” are only the public slogan; behind it the ERC is considering a package of measures including a revision of consumption blocks, different summer and winter rules, a special cheap Saturday tariff, and incentives to move consumption into 11:00–15:00 when photovoltaic generation creates surpluses.

According to the party, Ristov has admitted that evening electricity has become more expensive and that “the current philosophy of consumption” will change — a development Levica warns could be paid for by reducing night-time cheap hours, shifting block thresholds, or raising prices during periods when households use the most power.

Levica demands full transparency

Levica also charged that the ruling majority placed a former VMRO‑DPMNE mayor with business ties as head of the regulator and now asks the public to trust his closed calculations. The party called for immediate publication of all tariff math, arguing that independence of the regulator must be shown through open data, published contacts, declared interests and verifiable decisions — not only by a statement following an appointment.

The party said Ristov has already announced that producers, operators, institutions and other market participants will be involved in the process and that companies will receive time for technical adjustments — while citizens are being told they will “allegedly be informed in time.” Levica warned that allowing companies to discuss their costs, surpluses and commercial problems in preparatory stages turns the ERC from a consumer protector into a closed negotiating table between the regulator and the very companies whose revenues the regulator approves.

Levica’s formal demands include an immediate opening of the entire tariff methodology and a public register of all meetings by the ERC chair and members with ESM, EVN, MEPSO, MEMO, traders, producers and their associations. The register should list date, participants, subject, submitted requests and documents reviewed. Ristov and other members must publish current and previous business interests, ownership links and potential conflicts of interest. Finally, every vote on the new tariff should be individually recorded and justified with the name and surname of the voter, the party said.

Photo: press material from the event