(Finance) – TheRegulatory authority for energy networks and the environment with resolution 362/2023/R/eel it approved the procedures for assigning the Gradual Protection Service (STG) for non-vulnerable domestic customers still in enhanced protection by the scheduled deadline of 10 January 2024. The transfer of the customers concerned – ARERA informs – will take place starting from 1 April 2024 if in the meantime they have not yet chosen a supplier on the free market .
The Gradual Protection Service it is the service prepared by ARERA to guarantee continuity of supply to customers who will not have a supplier from the free market at the time of removal of the enhanced protection service. It has already been applied (pursuant to law 124/2017) to small businesses since January 2021 and to micro-enterprises since January 2023, allowing those who have not chosen a vendor on the free market to be served – without any interruption in supply of the supply of electricity – from vendors selected through specific competitive procedures.
Based on the provisions of decree of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security of 17 May 2023 (Measures for the conscious entry of end customers into the free market), the Authority today defined the rules for assigning the STG to “non-vulnerable” domestic customers. Vulnerable customers, on the other hand, will temporarily remain supplied under the current enhanced protection service, postponing the functional interventions for its removal for this category to a subsequent provision by the Authority.
The Authority recalls that, pursuant to Legislative Decree 210/21, it is defined “vulnerable customer”: anyone over the age of 75; those who are in economically disadvantaged conditions (for example they are recipients of an energy bonus); anyone with serious health conditions that require the use of life-saving medical-therapeutic equipment powered by electricity or individuals with whom there are people with such conditions; who is a person with disabilities pursuant to law 104/92; who is in an emergency housing facility following calamitous events; who is on a minor unconnected island.
For the selection of operators called upon to provide the Gradual Protection Service to customers who are not vulnerable, for each of the 26 territorial areas into which Italy has been divided, auctions will be held with a single-turn, closed-envelope, simultaneous system for all areas. Each area has an average number of customers of 220,000. Participating operators will have to comply with strict requirements of economic-financial, managerial and operational solidity and will be able to be assigned a maximum of 30% of the areas. You can use arepair auction for areas left unassigned.
The price applied to STG end customers it will be unique in the whole country, with an equalization system for sellers and contractual conditions similar to those of the PLACET offers will be applied. The Gradual Protection Service will have a limited duration of 3 years.
The seller who supplies the customer under the enhanced protection must attach specific information to at least two bills (between September 2023 and March 2024), distinguishing between vulnerable and non-vulnerable customers.
To the not vulnerable, subjects directly affected by the term of the Enhanced Protection, evidence of the change towards the supplier of the TSG selected through an auction must be given. Naturally, it is still possible for everyone to choose a supply contract at any time
of electricity in the free market.