Electricity: goodbye to the protected market. What to do from today in 10 points
As of 1 July, non-vulnerable customers in the electricity market are transferred to the graduated protection service. Find out what changes and how to navigate the new scenario
by Celestina Dominelli
2' min read
Key points
- 1) Will the transfer to the graduated guardianship service be triggered for everyone?
- 2) Who are the vulnerable customers?
- 3) What is the vulnerability service?
- 4) To which operators will the non-vulnerable who have not migrated to the free market be transferred?
- 5) Will savings be made in the transition to graduated service?
- 6) Is it possible to return to the higher protection class?
- 7)To whom should the application for re-entry be submitted?
- 8) What can I do if I am not satisfied with the free market offer?
- 9) Who can I contact for information?
- 10) How do I know my consumption?
2' min read
On 30 June, the greater protection in the electricity market expired for non-vulnerable customers: as of 1 July, therefore, all those who have not switched to the free market in the meantime are automatically transferred to the graduated protection service, the temporary mechanism that was designed to accompany the progressive liberalisation of the electricity market, while, as is well known, for gas, the end of regulated prices was triggered at the end of last year. But what happens as of 1 July? Here is a brief guide with answers to the main doubts.
1) Will the transfer to the graduated guardianship service be triggered for everyone?
The changeover to the new mechanism only concerns the non-vulnerable customers still under protection, who amount to just under 4 million, according to Arera's latest count. Nothing changes, however, for vulnerable customers.
2) Who are the vulnerable customers?
.This category includes the over 75s, social bonus recipients due to economic disadvantage or serious health conditions, users of non-interconnected minor islands or emergency housing, and also beneficiaries of the disability law 104.
3) What is the vulnerability service?
.This is the service that will benefit vulnerable customers for whom, as mentioned, nothing will change as of 1 July because they will continue to enjoy the prices regulated by Arera. Eventually, auctions will also be held for these customers to identify the operator of the vulnerable service.
4) To which operators will the non-vulnerable who have not migrated to the free market be transferred?
The operators were selected through an auction that took place in recent months and in which seven suppliers (Enel, Hera, Edison, Illumia, E.On, Iren and A2A) prevailed. The name of the operator that won the area in which the supply is located was communicated by Arera in the bill. To find out, however, it is possible to consult the Authority's website (www.arera.it) and identify it by area.
