Energy, phased safeguards: the Ministry is considering an extension until 31 December 2027. Here’s what might happen

The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security is considering extending, until 31 December 2027, the gradual protection scheme for electricity (STG), the transitional supply scheme established by ARERA to support non-vulnerable domestic customers, micro-enterprises and SMEs in their transition to the free market, which is currently due to expire on 31 March. Consequently, the Authority, led by Nicola Dell’Acqua, is sending notices via the bills of customers served by the STG, explaining what will happen: from 1 April 2027, the service will no longer be available and will remain only as a service of last resort, reserved for customers without a supplier.

Now, however, as mentioned, the Ministry is considering extending the deadline. But in what direction? Among the options under consideration is the possibility that, from 1 April to 31 December 2027, if no offer is selected on the open market, the provider of the gradual protection scheme will continue to apply the current commercial terms and conditions of supply to non-vulnerable domestic customers or, if more favourable, the terms of the best offer made by the same supplier to those same customers.

The aim of the move by the ministry headed by Gilberto Pichetto Fratin is to ensure that non-vulnerable domestic customers have more time to assess the offers available on the open market and make an informed choice of supplier, whilst at the same time promoting greater information and more active participation by consumers in the energy market.

Whilst we await clarification on how the changes proposed by Mase will be implemented, it is nevertheless important to clarify what is currently happening, given that there have been no changes to the framework established when this service was set up. Non-vulnerable customers served under the STG scheme who, by 31 March 2027, have not chosen a free-market offer – either with their current supplier or with another – will automatically switch to the open-market tariff proposed by their Gradual Protection Scheme supplier, namely the tariff – from those available in December 2026 – with the lowest estimated annual cost. ARERA clarified in the note sent yesterday that this switch will take place without any interruption to supply, without the need to sign a new contract and without any change to how bills are received. The terms and conditions will apply for at least 12 months and there will be no charges in the event of early termination.

Communications to customers will follow a specific timetable: an initial information notice between September and November 2026; in December 2026, a summary notice setting out the terms of the selected offer, the summary sheet and confirmation that the notice has been sent; between January and March 2027, a reminder containing the offer code, to be entered into the offers portal to simulate the annual cost and compare it with that of other offers on the open market. The full contract documentation will be provided by 31 March 2027 at the latest, unless the customer requests it earlier.