In the structure of the new price of electricity, production costs and potential exports account for about 58 percent of the price, while the fee for using the distribution network, which also includes the cost of network losses, accounts for about 30 percent of the price.

However, more than half of the revenues from fuel sale are taken by the state through excises and taxes, with the explanation that petrol and diesel are not existential needs.

Those who have experienced the problem of having cold radiators probably shiver every time they hear the news about potential heating troubles, failures and record consumption of energy substances. Headlines of daily newspapers and TV news are full of such stories these days.

It seems that in such circumstances it is easier to introduce a new rise in price or give up the promised reduction in the price of energy substances.

This year the price of fuel in Serbia has increased three times; starting 1 March the price of electricity will increase by a tenth, while it seems that the several-month announcements of a decrease in the price of gas will remain nothing but words.

What is actually behind the prices of all these energy substances?