BPB: Use of EU Funds for Energy Subsidies to Households Only Temporary Solution

Bratislava, 21 July (TASR) - The planned use of EU funds for energy subsidies for households is only a temporary solution that doesn't address high energy consumption in inefficient buildings, said a platform called Buildings for the Future (BPB) in response to statements made on Sunday (20 July) by Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD), who announced that Slovakia could use unspent EU funds to subsidise energy prices for households. According to the platform, such steps won't move Slovakia closer to energy security or lower energy bills. At a time of rising prices and uncertain gas supplies, the Buildings for the Future platform stated that there's a need to strengthen the Renew House programme, which, it said, delivers lasting savings to households. It therefore called on the government to channel public resources into reducing consumption rather than further subsidising existing consumption. According to the platform, across-the-board energy subsidies cost public finances €1.5 billion a year, of which €1.08 billion is spent on gas. They pointed out that Slovakia has been paying energy aid for three years in a row. am/df