The Government of Serbia has introduced a new regulation allowing citizens with old electricity meters to self-read their consumption and submit the data to the system operator. However, Dejan Gavrilović from the Consumers’ Association Efektiva warns that this measure will not resolve ongoing issues with inaccurate and inflated electricity bills that have persisted since November 2023.
Gavrilović explains that consumers previously had the option to self-read their meters, but the new regulation shifts the responsibility for meter reading more directly onto them. Despite this, problems such as incorrect billing—including bills showing zero consumption—continue. Even consumers who submitted accurate readings received erroneous bills, which they had to contest.
According to the regulation, consumers must read and report their electricity usage monthly, while the distribution company will perform official checks once every three months. If there is a discrepancy between reported and actual consumption, consumers are required to pay the difference. Gavrilović notes that such discrepancies are already happening and that the regulation fails to address the root causes.
While the regulation provides for self-reading, service providers are still responsible for reading meters for those unable or unwilling to do so. The real issue, according to Gavrilović, is non-compliance with existing laws, such as Article 90 of the Consumer Protection Law, which mandates monthly billing. He highlights cases where consumers did not receive bills for months and were later issued consolidated bills with higher tariffs.
Consumers have filed complaints with market inspectors, resulting in fines against EPS, but problems persist. Gavrilović concludes that the issues with electricity meter reading are likely to continue until all meters are replaced with digital ones, enabling centralized and accurate readings.
