Bills decree, OK by the Chamber: from bonuses to telemarketing, all the novelties

A mechanism is introduced to reduce the cost of electricity bills of non-domestic users through a restructuring of the Conto Energia incentives for photovoltaic plants with a power output above 20kW. In particular, owners of photovoltaic plants with a power output greater than 20kW, who benefit from incentives under the four Conto Energia mechanisms expiring in 2029, may voluntarily choose to reduce the tariff premiums provided for between 2026 and 2027 by 15% or 30%, in exchange for an extension of the agreement by 3 or 6 months respectively. The possibility is provided for these entities to opt for an early exit from the Conto Energia incentive system, starting in 2028, in exchange for a consideration. The payment of the consideration is subject to the obligation to completely refurbish the photovoltaic systems. A decree of the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security is delegated to define the modalities for implementing the exit from the Conto Energia. Arera adjusts the timing of payment of the ASOS and ARIM tariff components by energy distributors, bringing them into line with the timing of payment by energy sellers. Arera is delegated to define the modalities by which the ASOS component of the bills of certain categories of non-domestic users will be reduced.

There is a 2 percentage point increase (from 3.9 per cent to 5.9 per cent) in the IRAP rate applicable to entities operating in the energy sector for the tax years 2026 and 2027.

The phase-out of coal-fired power plants used for electricity production is extended to 2038. It should be recalled that the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (NIPEC), sent to the European Commission in July 2024, envisages the cessation of electricity production from coal by 2025 for power plants on the mainland and by 2028 for those located in Sardinia, subject to the completion of the necessary interconnection infrastructure. The provision therefore sets a longer deadline than the planned schedule, without distinguishing between power plants located on the mainland and those located in Sardinia.

The prohibition of commercial solicitations by telephone, including through the sending of messages to consumers, for the purpose of proposing and concluding electricity and gas supply contracts is provided for. The trader may contact the consumer by telephone, including through the sending of messages, where there has been a request made directly to the trader through the latter's computer interfaces, or where the contact has been made with respect to its electricity and gas customers who have given specific consent to receive commercial proposals. The onus is on the professional to prove the validity of the contact. Telephone contacts must be made by the trader from a number that uniquely identifies him. Contracts concluded as a result of contact made in violation of these provisions are null and void. The consumer may make use of alternative dispute resolution instruments. If these new rules are not applied, users can report the matter to the Garante per la protezione dei dati personali (Gpdp) and to the Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (Agcom), indicating the number from which the call originated. If Agcom, within the scope of the investigative activity carried out ex officio or following the report, ascertains that the call comes from numbers other than those assigned to the professional, it orders the telephone operator to immediately suspend the use of the lines assigned to the same. The suspension may also be requested by the Gpdp, within the scope of its investigative activity, to Agcom in the presence of a significant number of reports of calls without prior consent.