The energy chapter for Italians is one of the most complicated to keep under control. Between ecobonuses, telepromotions and legal deadlines, it is often not possible to get to the bottom of what should actually be done and what not. The danger of scams and deceptions, after all, is always around the corner. Governments also often put their own into it, but the transition to new forms of services can't stop. If reforms need to be made, it's time to move. In the last year we have also learned that the energy market is among the most unstable, subjected to influences of all kinds. Italian consumers according to the latest research by EY Future Consumer Index however, they are among the first in Europe to worry about energy savings. The next deadline for condominiums and small businesses is April 1 for which the end of the protected market. From that date, the two categories of users will have to switch to the free market. The news according to which the milleproroghe decree, approved last week, would have further extended the obligation is, therefore, denied.
The guarantees of the free market
Small businesses involved are those with fewer than 10 employees and a turnover of less than 2 million euros. After all, they are also the ones that have the most difficulty switching to renewables. The condominiums, on the other hand, will pay the condominium expenses to a company in a free market regime. If both the former and the latter have not chosen any company by the end of March, they will receive a formal communication from the company operating in their area and which will take care of the supply.
There are many companies operating on the free market, equipped for the passage of domestic users. In eight months – January 2024- in fact the same migration will always be the responsibility of families within one deregulation postponed several times. Let's also say that on several occasions consumer associations have asked for the measures to be postponed further fearing tariff increases. But Arera has extended the transition to the free market for the other two segments by just three months (from 1 January to 1 April). The system is quite structured and against scams and speculations has been made in recent months feel the Antitrust. Millions of users had received notices of unjustified increases from companies. A dangerous own goal when the rule was not yet in force. In a few weeks, the new company that should take over from the previous one won an auction from Arera to manage the service in the area where it resides and everything should be clearer.
What happens to the rates?
What is the advantage of moving to a less protected market? The price. The new operator – or the same one from before that joins the free market – can apply an incentive rate every three months on the basis of what is established by the Authority. Proposals to be submitted to customers without ambushes with the corporate profit of increasing its customers. The counters remain the same and the passage has no additional costs, there is only one subscription new contract. The effects on the economy, especially for what will happen among the thousands of SMEs, should occur in the medium term, as has partly happened for large companies that have moved to the free market from 2021. It is however advisable, from April onwards, check if electricity prices go up or down. Once again the seriousness of the supplying companies and the visibility of the prices is entrusted to the Arera portal. After all, the guarantee authorities must help reforms, especially those that affect the life of families and their budgets. Indispensable actions to ward off suspicions and shrewdness and also lend a hand to the electricity system in producing energy at decreasing costs with renewable sources.
How to choose the most suitable operator and rate
il Arera offer portal it is the most reliable tool right now. Anyone who fails to switch to the free energy market by April 2st does not run the risk of leaving the condominium without electricity. In fact, a transitional regime with "gradual protections" is envisaged and is managed by various operators (Axpo Italia, Iren, Hera and AXNUMXA) depending on the geographical area. But be careful: it is a more expensive regime than protection because in various areas of Italy it provides for an extra cost per megawatt hour.
