CEZ under fraud probe

TIRANA, Feb. 13 – CEZ AS (CEZ), the Czech Republic’s largest power distributor, is under investigation for alleged fraud in Albania, according to Balkan Insight news that cited sources from prosecutor’s office. The investigation is made on alleged suspicion of overcharging customers and issuing fake fines.
This follows loud cries from Albanian individuals complaining of big charges and false dates of power charges.
There have been continuous power outages in the country due to the poor distribution network. CEZ also says it cannot invest due to the above-mentioned reason. The network is old and people often suffer because of that.
CEZ has not been contacted by the prosecutor and is therefore unable to comment, spokeswoman Eva Novakova said in an e-mailed message. The company’s accounting is periodically audited and electricity prices are set by the Albanian regulator, she said.
The country produces most of the power consumed in its hydropower stations that are now suffering a lack of water inflow. At this moment it imports 40 percent of the power needed.
The government says it has secured the import of energy until the end of the month and is negotiating for further import. But due to the bad weather the countries around Albania have stopped exporting electricity. That means that Albania will find it hard to buy, first, and then it will have to face a new and higher price.