The end of the protected market had already proven to be a success for Italian citizens, producing, unlike what the opposition feared, a discount of 130 euros per year. The great competition between supplier companies had produced a race to the bottom on prices, thus creating substantial advantages for consumers: “The electricity prices determined by the auctions will produce significant savings for over 4 million Italians, with all due respect to the Cassandres who they have fueled a media terrorism which is denied today by the numbers” commented the Honorable Tommaso Foti, group leader of the Brothers of Italy in the Chamber of Deputies.
Now, other good news makes the Italian government and consumers smile: according to data issued by Arera, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment, tariffs drop by 19.8% for the typical family in the protected market. A drop, this one in the April-June period, which already follows a significant drop of 11% in the first quarter of 2024. For Arera, “the drop is mainly justified by the bearish trend that characterized the trend of gas prices natural and electricity towards the end of last year and in the first months of the current year and which is slowing down due to growing geopolitical tensions”. The reference price will be 20.24 cents per kilowatt hour: the expected drop is 135 euros on an annual basis.
However, we must continue to work. Energy prices are constantly falling, with a very important -50% in the last year, but compared to the 2020 thresholds they are still high, by around 25%. Furthermore, despite the success of the free market, the protected one still remains the most convenient one for now. For those who have already moved to the free market, there is still the possibility of returning to the protected market until next June. While the most protected service will be guaranteed for those people considered vulnerable, belonging to the following categories: subjects in economically disadvantaged situations, elderly people over 75 years of age, disabled people, sick people who need electronic equipment. There are approximately 4.5 million people still covered, for whom Arera will continue to set prices for each quarter.
