RWE Energija, the second largest electricity supplier in Croatia, has offered a new tariff on the market aimed at the most vulnerable segment of the population – pensioners.
The new innovative product – ‘RWE Pensioner’ – offers five percent cheaper electricity compared to the universal service and several free benefits: a handyman for repairs and emergency interventions in the home worth up to 1000 kuna per intervention, free medical advice via a toll-free phone, and subsidizing accommodation costs in case of hospital examinations outside the place of residence (up to 1500 kuna value, unlimited number of times).
The tariff was developed in collaboration with the German insurance company Ergo osiguranje and, as stated by the CEO of RWE Energija, Zoran Miliša, during its presentation, annual savings will be significant. Already, RWE, which has an eight percent market share and more than one hundred thousand users two years after entering the Croatian electricity market, has saved citizens more than 40 million kuna.
– If all citizens chose a supplier, savings would exceed 350 million kuna. We need to encourage people not to be afraid of change – emphasized Miliša.
Karl Kraus, CEO of RWE Croatia, reflected on the past and future business strategy, noting that their goal is to reach ten percent of the market by the end of next year and to continue growing in the Slovenian electricity supply market. They are also present in the gas segment, where they currently have 1000 users in the business sector and operate throughout Croatia. Since households are still a regulated category, they do not offer gas supply services in that segment, but will do so when the opportunity arises.
– RWE’s strategic goal in Southeast Europe is to become one of the largest regional energy companies. We operate locally in each market and want to create strategic partnerships with national companies. We emphasize all aspects of the energy value chain, from decentralized energy production through the distribution network to retail – highlighted Kraus, citing HEP as a good example of partnership recently in Plomin, and now in the new joint venture Novenerg.
They plan to develop decentralized energy source projects in Croatia and other Southeast European markets with HEP. RWE’s role will be strategic consulting, but Kraus says they are also open to investments.
