Good news on the front bills: a. is coming positive trend for home and lightwith a reduction in supply costs for theelectric energy which will reach its peak in the middle of summer 2024.
After two years of skyrocketing tariffs, and great difficulties for families, many will finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief, with prices per kWh falling below the threshold of 20 euro cents. However, we still need to pay attention: the definitive transition to the Free Market and users, if not vulnerable, will no longer be able to take advantage of the Greater Protection Service.
The positive trend for electricity bills
In terms of energy bills, it cannot be said that consumers have not experienced a complex two years. The increase in wholesale energy tariffsdue to the post-pandemic macroeconomic conditions and the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, had in fact led Italian families to shoulder quite unsustainable burdens.
Fortunately, the negative trend seems to have ended: this is communicated by theArerathe Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment, with the forecast for the second quarter of 2024. In particular, consumers still linked to the Greater Protection Service will be able to take advantage of a average drop of 19.8% of the energy bill, with a peak of savings expected towards the summer.
The positive trend for the home and light, as ARERA has specified, is due to various macroeconomic conditions:
- a drop in wholesale prices for raw materials, in particular natural gas;
- a stabilization of the energy sectorafter the surge due to geopolitical tensions.
In fact, the decline could translate into a average savings of 662 euros per year per familyin the comparison period between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. A downward trend that will also have positive effects for those who have already decided to join the free market, at least for those offers with part of the tariff partly indexed on the ARERA indices.
The average cost per kWh in the second quarter of 2024
Given the reduction revealed, ARERA hypothesizes a average final price per kWh of approximately 20.24 euro cents, due to a 22.5% drop in spending on energy, offset by a 2.72% increase in general system costs. Obviously, any other costs must be added to the price per kWh, depending on the offer signed with your operator.
The estimate was conducted by calculating an annual consumption of 2,000 kWh for the average customer, while for the average family 2,700 kWh were considered, again over a 12-month period.
What happens to the Greater Protection Service with the Free Market
On the occasion of the presentation of the trends for the second quarter of 2024, ARERA recalled that, starting from July 1st, it will no longer be possible to take advantage of the Greater Protection Service for the procurement of energy supplies. But what happens to those who have not yet switched to the Free Market?
The Gradual Protection Service
As of 31 December 2023, approximately 73% of Italian residential customers had already switched to the Free Market for energy supply. But what will happen to those who, on July 1st, will still be registered with the Greater Protection Service?
Initially, customers who have not yet switched to the Free Market will automatically be transferred to Gradual Protection Servicewhich provides conditions practically equivalent to the free market, with some constraints:
- bimonthly billing;
- request for a security deposit of 11.5 euros for each kW of power used for those who pay by payment slip;
- no deposit costs for those who pay by direct debit, postal order or credit card.
The Gradual Protection Service, with a contractual duration from 1 July 2024 to 31 March 2027, will arrange for the transfer of customers to specific operators, as per assignment tables for supply areas made known by ARERA itself.
It is useful to underline that customers who will be transferred to the Gradual Protection Service will obtain the so-called tariffs Placet, which cannot be modified until the customer switches to the Free Market. Of course, consumers will be able to make this switch at any time.
Exceptions for vulnerable customers
Even with the Free Market, considered customers will be able to access specific benefits, such as Vulnerability Protection Service. However, some requirements must be respected:
- be over the age of 75 years old;
- benefit from state economic support;
- live one condition of disability;
- be residents of emergency accommodation.
The application of the special rates should be automatic for all customers who, as of January 1, 2024, were vulnerable customers.
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