(Finance) – The gas bill for the type 1 family (with average gas consumption of 1,400 cubic meters per year) is decreasing, under protection for consumption in December 2023, which drops by 6.7% compared to November. With the end of gas protection from 2024the Authority updates for the last time the bills of domestic customers who have not yet chosen the free market. In the future, the component of the gas price to cover supply costs applied to customers of the Vulnerability Protection Service, active for approximately 2.5 million families, will be updated on a monthly basis, with the same criteria, times and methods used so far.
For the month of December, which saw wholesale prices drop compared to those recorded in November, the price of the gas raw material only (CMEM,m), for customers with contracts under protected conditionsis even 36.30 euros/MWh. The overall change of -6.7% for the typical family for the month of December is entirely determined by the decrease in spending on natural gas. However, the general charges and the tariff linked to the cost of transport and measurement remain unchanged. In terms of final effects, the gas expenditure for the typical family in the rolling year (January – December 2023) is approximately 1,307 euros, before taxes, and was down 29.9% compared to the equivalent 12 months of the previous year (January – December 2022).
For gas, as for heat and district heating management, the elimination of general charges and the VAT reduction to 5% are confirmed for December as for the whole of 2023, with a return of the latter to normal rates starting from the month of January 2024.
Consumer associations are dissatisfied. “The reduction in gas tariffs in December is undoubtedly positive, but below expectations: given the downward trend in prices on international markets, a decidedly more marked drop was expected.” He claims Members, commenting on the tariff update for the month of December decided today by Arera. “In 2023, spending on energy supplies on the protected market reached 2,197 euros per family: 889.60 euros for electricity, 1,307 euros for gas – explains the honorary president of Assoutenti, Furio Truzzi –. From January, however, consumers will face a new blow on gas: the discount on VAT on the bill ends, with the tax going from 5% to 22%: this is equivalent, considering the gas tariffs of December, at an additional expense of approximately +250 euros per year per household for VAT only. The reduction in tariffs initiated in December will be completely nullified by the VAT increase in January, not to mention that in a few days the protected market will end, with all the relative unknowns of this transition – adds Truzzi -. The most penalized will be vulnerable gas users who live in condominiums with central heating systems, who will have to move to the free market despite having the requirements established by law to remain in the greater protection regime”.
Also according to the Codacons the -6.7% drop in gas tariffs ordered by Arera for the month of December is completely insufficient, and will not save Italians from the price increases that await them with the end of the protected market. “Although decreasing compared to 2022, the expenditure on gas of a typical family reached an average of 1,307 euros in 2023, higher by 15.7% compared to 2021 and even +34% compared to 2020 – analyzes the Codacons –. This means that compared to three years ago a nucleus spent a total of 332 euros more in 2023 just for gas supplies, and due to the price situation which is far from under control. “The forecasts for 2024 are not rosy – warns the president of Codacons Carlo Rienzi –. The return of VAT rates to full capacity starting from January and the farewell to the protected energy market, cast disturbing shadows and will cause Italians’ bills to skyrocket, considering the great volatility of energy prices on international markets and the risk of speculation and incorrect practices in the delicate phase of the transition to the free market”.
The National Consumers Union is also holding back its enthusiasm. “Excellent news! Even if unfortunately it is destined to be short-lived. A fairy tale that is about to end, given that in 7 days the protected gas market will cease, i.e. the one which, as today’s data shows, is giving relief to families already at exhausted due to the high cost of living, also thanks to the choice to update prices monthly, ex post and not ex ante, and to change the reference index, decisions by Arera which have allowed much more significant reductions compared to the free market – he comments Marco Vignola, head of the energy sector of the National Consumers Union -. If the Government does not renew the 5% VAT discount, which expired on 31 December, then it will be the definitive Caporetto for families.”
In fact, given the price of gas communicated today – notes the UNC – failure to renew the VAT reduction will result in a tax of 168 euros on an annual basis, which will rise to 213 also considering the restoration of the system charges which have now been eliminated. According to him study by the National Consumers Union, if for a typical family in protection -6.7% means spending 98 euros less on an annual basis, 97.86 to be precise, the total expenditure in the next twelve months (not, therefore, according to the rolling year, but from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024, assuming constant prices), drops from 1467 to 1369 euros, which when added to the 681 of electricity, determines an overall hit of 2050 euros. If the price of gas falls by 6.7% compared to that of November 2023 and collapses by 35.2% compared to the historical record of December 2022, compared to pre-crisis times, i.e. in comparison with December 2020, the increase – he comments the association – is still astronomical: +45.8%. Compared to the overall expenditure in 2020, equal to 975 euros, you will now pay 394 euros more, +40.4% percent.