(Finance) – The gas bill for consumers still in the protected market has dropped. Despite the records in the wholesale markets last summer, with the application of the new monthly update method of the Arera the significant cost reductions of the raw material of the last few weeks. The typical family for the consumptions made in October, – says Arera – will receive one bill with a reduction of -12.9% compared to the cost of the third quarter 2022.
Based on the new calculation method introduced in July by the Arera, the component of the price of gas to cover supply costs (CMEMm), applied to customers still under protection, is updated as a monthly average of the price on the Italian wholesale market. (the PSV day ahead) and published within the first 2 working days of the month following the reference month. For the month of October, the price of the gas raw material (CMEMm), for customers with contracts under protected conditions, is therefore fixed at 78.05 euro / MWh, equal to the average of the prices recorded daily throughout the past month. + 67% compared to the equivalent 12 months of the previous year (1 November 2020 – 31 October 2021).
For those who have received, in recent weeks, a bill with the value on account of the CMEMm component, the recalculation will be made in the first useful bill with the actual (lowest) value published today. The same CMEMm value must be used by the sellers to invoice, as a down payment, the consumptions of the month of November in the intra-monthly bills.
“Let’s not let our guard down. The cost of gas for October is down compared to the previous quarter – he says Stefano Besseghini, president of Arera – but the percentages must not be misleading. The values remain very high compared to the past and, if it is true that they had a modest impact for families in the summer period, they will determine more demanding bills with the increase in consumption in the winter season, with prices that are expected to rise due to greater demand. of the cold months. The invitation therefore remains to pay attention to savings and energy efficiency. The Authority’s commitment remains maximum, to ensure the tightness of the entire energy system as the first necessary condition for consumer protection “. Besseghini spoke of an increase in gas costs in November and December.” Current forecasts – he added – they show us an evolution in growth of 20 – 25% compared to the current prices for the phase of December and January. Then there will be a flat trend for 2023 “.
As expected from “Bis Aid” decree, throughout the fourth quarter Arera eliminated general system charges for the gas sector as well, also confirming the application of the negative UG2 component to the benefit of gas consumption up to 5 thousandasmc / year. Interventions which, together with the confirmation of the 5% VAT reduction on gas, support the generality of gas users. Still in compliance with the Aid bis Decree, up to the end of the year the strengthening of the social bonus for gas is also confirmed, aimed at families with an ISEE level of up to 12 thousand euros (threshold that rises to 20 thousand euros for large families) . The bonuses are paid directly into the bill to all eligible families, provided that they have applied for an ISEE for the year 2022.