(Finance) – Le consumer associations rise up against theincrease in gas tariffs announced today by Arera. According to what was established by the Authority, from 1 August 2023 the gas bill will rise by 2.3% in the protected market. The hike in gas prices is a “bad sign” for Absolute users, which calculates the repercussions for household pockets. “An alarming rise – notes theNational Consumer Union – the fact that gas rises in August, despite consumption being reduced to the bone and stocks at the end of July were already at 87%, even if now it does not produce concrete effects for consumers’ pockets, can only worry us in view of the imminent start of the next thermal season”. “The increase in gas bills – comments the Coldiretti – weighs on businesses and households forced to deal with the heavy effects of inflation on consumption”.
“With the 2.3% increase ordered by Arera for the month of August, the gas bill on the protected market, at constant rates, reaches 1,267 euros per core, equivalent to a greater outlay of around +29 euros per year per family compared to the tariffs in force in July Added to the 644 euros per year for electricity, the expenditure of a family for energy supplies (August 2023/July 2024) thus reaches the total of 1,911 euros – analyzes Absolute users –. In comparison with the same period of 2021, and leaving out 2022 when prices reached astronomical levels, the gas bill is 6.9% higher (i.e. +82 euros per core per year), and even +50.2 % compared to August 2020, equal to a higher annual expenditure of +424 euros per core”. “Apart from the extent of the increase ordered today by Arera, what worries us are the signals coming from the international energy markets – says the president of Assoutenti Furio Truzzi –. In view of the arrival of the cold months and with the race for hoarding, the risk is that of a surge in quotations which would directly affect the tariffs for the coming months and, therefore, on the pockets of Italians. The Government must not be found unprepared and must study every possible contrasting action to avoid the drama of the bills experienced in our country in the last two years”.
“The risk that in October, with the re-ignition of the radiators and the recovery of demand, a sting for families will come is now a bitter reality. For this reason, the Government must not only immediately renew the VAT reduction also for the fourth quarter on gas at 5%, but it would also do well to restore at least part of the discounts on system charges removed from April – he says Marco Vignola, head of the energy sector of the National Consumer Union –. According to the study by the National Consumer Union, for a typical family in guardianship the +2.3% means spending 28 euros more on an annual basis. The total expenditure in the next twelve months (not, therefore, according to the rolling year, but from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024, assuming constant prices) thus rises to 1267 euros, which added to the 644 of electricity, determine a total sting of 1911 euros. Furthermore, if the price of gas now rises by only 2.3%, compared to pre-crisis times, i.e. in comparison with August 2020, the increase is disproportionate: +50.2%. Compared to the total expenditure of 2020, equal to 975 euros, we are now paying a good 292 euros more, + 29.9 percent”.
“A worrying trend reversal with energy spending which has a double negative effect because – underlines the Coldiretti – reduces the purchasing power of citizens and households, but also increases the costs of businesses which are particularly relevant to the agri-food sector. A trend that risks accentuating due to international tensions in the colder months in which consumption and consequently the economic impacts are higher. The cost of energy – continues Coldiretti – is in fact reflected throughout the supply chain and concerns both agricultural activities but also transformation and distribution. Agricultural and food production in Italy absorb over 11% of total industrial energy consumption for about 13.3 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) per year, according to the analysis by Coldiretti based on Enea data”.