Originally it should have been launched on January 1, 2003. Chairman of the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (URSO) Jan Matusky said during a roundtable discussion on Wednesday that an amendment to the law on energy along with other regulations would be elaborated within the next few months. The roundtable was organized by the energy section of the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

According to Jozef Urmin, director of the Economy Ministry’s energy section, documents for the launch of the electricity market operator are prepared, but some bodies in the five of Slovakia’s largest power companies have not yet reviewed and commented them.

During the first phase of the launch, power producer Slovenske Elektrarne, electricity transmission network operator Slovenska Elektrizacna Prenosova Sustava (SEPS), and three regional power distributors should hold 20 percent each in the operator. If the effort to set up the new company fails, SEPS would continue to carry out the duties of electricity market operator.