Goodbye to the protected market, everything you need to know

Vulnerable households are excluded from the transition to the free market.The change will be from January 10th for gas and from April 1st for electricity

ROME - The protected gas market ends on 10 January, and the electricity market on 1 April. The interested audience concerns 5 million families who will have to choose a contract with an energy supplier for their home in the next few days.In fact, the government has not extended the tariffs managed directly by Arera, the energy authority. Arera calculates the bills of the protected market based on the trend of the wholesale market and updates them every three months.With the free market, however, the large supplier companies define the price and contractual conditions.Usually, in the free market, the entry conditions for new customers are very advantageous and include interesting packages. Incentives which, however, run out after a few months, realigning prices upwards.

VULNERABLE FAMILIES

Vulnerable families are excluded from the transition to the free market, around 4.5 million families who will be able to continue to remain in the protected market.Customers who: are considered to be in a vulnerable situation, both for the electricity and gas markets:

– are in economically disadvantaged conditions (for example bonus recipients);

– have serious health conditions that require the use of medical-therapeutic equipment powered by electricity (the exemption only applies to electricity bills);

– are individuals with disabilities pursuant to law 104;

– have a user in an emergency housing facility following calamitous events;

– have a user on a non-interconnected smaller island or are over 75 years of age.

HOW TO CHANGE MANAGER

Domestic customers affected by the transition they will receive the notice on their bill with the possibility of choosing an offer from the free market, also using the tools made available by Arera, such as the Offer Portal.

GRADUAL PROTECTIONS FOR THE ELECTRICITY MARKET

Those who don't choose in time risk being left without light?No, customers who do not switch to the free market will be directed to the Gradual Protection Service, i.e. the service provided by Arera.“The Gradual Protection Service - we read on the Authority's website - is provided by sellers selected through specific competitive procedures.Each territorial area is served by a single supplier, who can also serve multiple areas simultaneously". In essence, the tariffs are established by Arera but calculated on the price of energy on the wholesale market. The suppliers of this service will be assigned through auctions that will take place between December and January.

THE PLACET FOR GAS

Gas customers who do not choose a new supplier will be able to take advantage of the Placet offers (Free price with equal protection conditions) for at least one year, i.e. free market contracts but supervised by Arera and aligned with protection.

PRICE MONITORING

The Council of Ministers has foreseen a specific information campaign in favor of users affected by the transition to the free market, and constant monitoring of operators' activities and price trends defined by Arera together with the Ministry of the Environment and consumer associations. Simplifications are then introduced regarding the transfer of bank direct debit for the payment of bills, which will be issued on a necessarily bimonthly basis, without prejudice to the user's freedom to choose a supplier other than the one assigned following the outcome of the procedures. competitive and a different payment method.