The prerequisite for the supply of electricity or gas to the customer's point of consumption is the connection of the point of consumption to the distribution system (conclusion of a connection contract). The customer (consumer) has the right to conclude a connection contract and to connect his/her electricity/gas consumption equipment to the distribution system, provided that he/she meets the connection conditions and the terms set out in the Rules of Operation/Regulations of the Distribution System Operator and has the consent of the owner of the property concerned to connect. The customer pays a share of the necessary costs associated with connecting to the system and reserving capacity. The costs are not paid if the point of consumption is already connected and the technical conditions do not change (most often the costs are paid in cases of the first connection of the point of consumption, e.g. a newly built house or apartment). In the matter of the connection contract, you must contact the locally competent distribution system operator, which cannot be selected, it is determined by territory.
In the case of an already connected point of consumption, the connection contract is usually handled by the supplier on the basis of a power of attorney granted by the customer in connection with the electricity/gas supply service contract.
The actual supply of electricity or gas is carried out on the basis of a contract concluded with a supplier = electricity or gas trader (most often a contract for bundled electricity or gas supply services, which combines the service of supply of the commodity and its transport - distribution). The customer (consumer) has the right to choose the energy supplier.
The customer (consumer) has the right to change the supplier free of charge. However, they need to keep in mind the terms of the contractual relationship with the existing supplier, as the contractual obligation to remain in the contractual relationship for the agreed period is usually reinforced by a contractual penalty, so changing supplier early may not be worthwhile.
The electricity/gas service contract is a private law contract. The customer (consumer) should understand the terms of the contract before signing it, and should keep the contract in a safe place.
The price of electricity or gas supply consists of a non-regulated (contractual) and a regulated part (determined by a price decision of the Energy Regulatory Office). The unregulated part of the price can be influenced by the customer's choice of supplier as it is subject to competition between suppliers.
The amount of the unregulated part of the price (the price for the commodity - electricity, gas) is thus usually the main criterion for choosing a supplier, but it should not be the only criterion. Other contract conditions, quality of communication (toll-free telephone line), online customer account, supplier references, etc. are also important.
For the purpose of comparing prices for a commodity, various online comparators and calculators are available to the customer. You should especially choose those that do not require any personal data of the customer, thus eliminating the possibility of their misuse.
For the purpose of comparing the price of electricity or gas supply (price list offers and products of suppliers), you can use the calculator published on the
website of the regulator (in Czech only for the time being), which is the Energy Regulatory Office.
If a problem arises with the connection of the point of consumption or with the supplier in connection with the supply of electricity/gas to the point of consumption, it is possible to submit a complaint for inspection to the supervisory authority, which is the Energy Regulatory Office.
The Energy Regulatory Office monitors compliance with the legal obligations of distribution system operators or suppliers. If the Energy Regulatory Office finds a breach of a legal obligation, it imposes a sanction (usually a fine). From the point of view of the customer (consumer), public law control is more of a preventive measure for his/her contractual relationship.
In the event that a dispute arises between the supplier and the customer (consumer) in connection with the concluded contract, it is a private law dispute that cannot be resolved ex officio. If the parties fail to reach an agreement, then the solution is a dispute resolution procedure. The entity deciding is the court or the Energy Regulatory Office in cases regulated by the Energy Act, i.e.alternative dispute resolution.
The Energy Act provides that the consumption of electricity or gas in the event of repeated non-compliance with payment obligations, which are not met even after notification, is unauthorised consumption, which is prohibited. The supplier is entitled to have the point of consumption disconnected from electricity or gas in the event of unauthorised consumption. In the event that the customer is unable to pay the advance payments or other payments for electricity or gas supply (unfavourable living situation, low-income household, etc.) and does not agree with the supplier on a solution (e.g. reduction of advance payments, payment plan), then there is no choice but to resolve the situation in another manner, e.g.
through social assistance.