Here comes the extension with the stop to the protected market of light. Instead of April XNUMXst, the definitive transition to the free market the July 2024st XNUMX. This is what was decided byArera (Energy, gas, water and waste regulatory authority) which underlined the need to ensure both customers and operators have sufficient time to adapt to the new regime.
The end of the protected electricity market is postponed: here's why
The Arera - in line with the energy decree 181/23 - establishes that the Gradual protection service (Stg) “will become operational from 2024 July XNUMX for non-vulnerable domestic customers who have not yet chosen the free market at the end of the protected market”. The Stg acts as a "buffer regime" for those who do not choose an operator on the free market, offering three years of prices defined by the authority.
The operators of the Stg will be identified through auctions, in which competitors will win slices of territory from around 200 thousand customers each in over 20 geographical areas. These auctions were supposed to take place on December 10th but were postponed by a month, to January 10th. This general referral is aimed at guaranteeing sufficient time for information campaigns, preparing the activities of the TSG and reducing the period between assignment and activation of the service.
The end date of the assignment period remains set at 31 March 2027. Communications to enhanced protection customers will be sent after the auctions, between April and June 2024.
The reactions
The consumer organization Assoutenti sees the news as positive for consumers, giving them more time to enjoy the protected market, but underlines the importance of timely information and action against aggressive practices during the transition to the free gas market.
