Ljubljana - The government adopted on Thursday legislative package designed to tackle high energy prices and ensure a reliable supply of energy, most notably a bill that allows it to declare a state of emergency in case of disruption in electricity or gas supplies.

The legislation would make it possible for the government to declare a higher or lower level of risk to energy supply in case of existing or expected supply disruptions.

A lower risk would entail preparing for an emergency in the supply and notifying energy companies and consumers to get ready for an emergency and to take measures that are feasible.

A higher level of risk would kick in when a state of emergency is declared in the supply of natural gas and electricity. At this stage all of the national potential for generation of electricity and heat would have to be tapped.

The legislation would give the government sweeping powers, including the power to order state-owned companies to take measures to ensure reliable supply of energy, and to give thermal power plants derogations from emission limits.

It also creates the legal basis for setting maximum heating and minimum cooling temperatures in public buildings and place limits on lighting, according to Infrastructure Minister Bojan Kumer.

He said the government would wield this power "delicately" and would probably initially focus on limiting the lighting of billboards and store fronts.

The second piece of legislation, amendments to the gas supply act, provides additional safeguards for households, gas consumers in apartment buildings, and small companies.

Most notably, the definition of household has been expanded to include multi-unit apartment buildings, which have in some cases been treated as business clients and had to pay higher gas prices since they did not enjoy the protection afforded to households.

It will also be easier to switch suppliers in the event a supplier exits the market, and all suppliers will have to offer a basic package with published prices.

The third part of the package is a bill on guarantees to state-owned power producers Gen Energina and HSE, and the state-owned gas distributor Geoplin in the event they have to take out loans to secure additional liquidity or to purchase gas outside the EU.

The aim is to give these companies "reliable access to short-term liquidity that they need to cover extreme short-term liquidity burdens," the government said.