Electricity bills: a double “siege” for defaulters – Newsbomb – News

Ha December 1 All consumers will be forced by their service providers to choose the electricity plan they want based on this economic they Possibilities. With his arrival 2024 case of emergency Regulated electricity tariff.

the Ministry of Environment and Energy It tries to put a double block on consumers who don’t pay them account Shortly before the release of new versions Invoices.

Specifically prohibits:

• To anyone who changes provider and leaves debt
• For those who have debts to two providers

Cheapest provider

Among the four bills that will be sent to consumers in the new year, the “green” bill stands out, which offers the consumer without dealing, in particular, two basic elements that he needs to know about his charges: First, what are the bills? The price for next month, and secondly, who is the cheapest provider for the next month.

In particular, the four different types of tariffs entering the market in the new year are as follows:

the colour blue

They are fixed-term invoices, with a fixed invoice price throughout the entire contract term.

green color

On January 1, 2024, all consumers who have not chosen a different tariff will switch to the specific tariff of the respective supplier, which is uniform for all providers and thus facilitates price comparison between suppliers and transparent and simplified information for consumers about supplier prices.

On the first day of every month, the invoice price will be announced on the website of the relevant supplier and will be sent to RAAEF.

the yellow color

These are the tariffs linked to the wholesale price on the energy exchange. These invoices are divided into two main categories: a) ex ante pricing and b) ex post pricing.

Orange color

They point to the possibility of “dynamic” pricing, based on market prices. The condition for choosing these tariffs is the operation of a remotely measured “smart” meter in the supply to consumers.

The new “map” in electricity bills

The relevant Ministry of Environment and Energy, through a list of 10 questions and answers, attempts to describe the new situation in electricity pricing:

What are the changes in electricity tariffs as of 1.1.2024 and why?

From January 1, 2024, new electricity supply tariffs for low voltage consumers will be implemented. Among them, a special combined tariff has been created, to which those who have not chosen a different tariff by December 31, 2023 will automatically switch on January 1, 2024.

Also, those consumers who have concluded an electricity supply contract for a fixed-rate product for a certain period of time, as long as this contract is in force, are not automatically transferred to the special combined tariff.

What is the supplier’s obligation to inform consumers of the new tariff?

Suppliers must, no later than December 1, 2023, inform consumers of the new tariffs that will apply from January 1, 2024.

How does the consumer understand which tariff category he belongs to?

Suppliers must mark each electricity supply tariff with new “transparency labels”, so that consumers can immediately and easily understand the most important feature of the tariff offered to them, i.e. whether the supply charge is fixed, variable or dynamic.

What are the four “transparency markers” for new tariffs as of January 1, 2024?

Four distinct definitional categories have been created, which will be offered by all suppliers without exception.

Fixed tariff, with a blue tick and fixed supply price (€/kWh) for the duration of the contract. The special combined tariff, marked in green, in which the supplier will announce the invoice price by the first day of the month of placing the order, i.e. consumers will know the price they will pay on every single day of the month.

Other variable tariffs, in yellow, include tariffs with a variable supply charge (EUR/kWh), where the price changes, depending on the fluctuations of the wholesale electricity market.

Dynamic tariffs, highlighted in orange, include tariffs whose prices change, based on wholesale electricity market prices during the day.

The condition for submitting the specified tariff is the presence of a smart meter.

What is the main benefit of the special tariff set by the state?

The special green-marked combined tariff provides consumers with the advantage of knowing in advance, on the first day of the consumption month, the invoice price for that month.

The consumer will have the possibility to evaluate his bill fees on a monthly basis, and compare them easily especially with the popular bills that will be introduced in the market. Transparency and ease of comparison will be enhanced by RAAEF publishing monthly commission fees on its website, which will be applied to the special common tariff.

Why choose the tariff and not stay on the special tariff?

All consumers will automatically switch to the special tariff on January 1, 2024, except for consumers who choose a different tariff.

Suppliers will, by December 1, 2023, inform consumers of the new tariffs they offer and their fees. In the period until January 1, 2024, consumers will have the opportunity to compare and evaluate suppliers’ proposals and choose the supplier and tariff that covers their energy needs.

The special shared tariff category, marked in green, is expected to be competitively priced, with the possibility of directly comparing supplier offers. However, the consumer has the possibility to choose any offered tariff whenever he wishes, by signing a new contract with the supplier of his choice.

How will the supply fee be reflected in electricity bills under the special shared tariff?

In special common tariff consumption calculations, suppliers are required to record the final supply price uniformly for each month of invoicing.

How long will the special shared tariff apply?

Suppliers are committed to maintaining the special common tariff until at least December 31, 2024. Consumers will be able to continue on this tariff until then, as long as they do not choose another product.

Offer of their choice. Consumers will be able to choose the special common tariff even after January 1, 2025, after which it will be offered by all suppliers.

Can I change the invoice or supplier immediately and without penalty?

The supplier’s invoice or supply may be changed at any time and does not give rise to the right to compensate the supplier due to the early departure of the customer, except in cases of termination of the fixed price invoice contract.

Will a price check and comparison tool be available?

The QR code (and link) is inserted into electricity bills and other messages from suppliers (SMS and emails) with reference to the RAEA Price Comparison website, so that consumers have the possibility to check the price of each. month for the respective shared invoice and compare it to the total invoices submitted by suppliers.