Socio-Economic Consequences of Changes in the Tariff Policy of the Electric Power Industry

Abstract

The article examines the current tariff policy for electricity in the Republic of Belarus. There has been a significant disproportion in tariffs between industrial and household consumers, including in comparison with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and Europe. The level of electricity cost reimbursement, which causes the problem of cross-subsidization, was analyzed. It’s noted that the share of electricity costs in the household budget has been staying at the same level for a long period of time and remains relatively insignificant. It’s noted that with the continued payment of targeted social benefits to pay for housing and communal services for households with low incomes, taking into account the insignificant share of electricity costs in the household budget, the gradual increase in tariff will not have a significant impact on the financial situation of citizens. At the same time, with an increase in energy tariffs, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the growth of household expenses not only in payments for housing and communal services, but also in electricity costs of companies paid by the population as part of domestic goods and services.