Predicting that with high energy bills with high amounts not being paid by everyone was quite predictable. But that in nine months the record of 4,7 million defaulting customers amazed even who how Facile.it carried out a field investigation. The record figure – perhaps also destined to rise – was taken over by the mUp Research and Norstat Institutes. Which they discovered even more. And that is that beyond 2,5 million Italians who live in a condominium do not pay their dues. The non-payments concern both gas and electricity and the situation is beginning to weigh on the distribution companies. In some cases there is the opportunity to pay the amounts in installments, but the picture is getting bleak. Also for political responsibility.
Unpaid bills affect all walks of life
Now 2 out of 3 people declare themselves in default for the first time in their life. They face a moral discomfort too since the phenomenon affects all social classes. At this rate, Italy climbs the ranking of European countries that are unable to sustain the increases in energy costs. We will see what will happen at the European Council of 20 and 21 dedicated precisely to the theme of energy. The anticipations are positive: just today, Tuesday 18 October, the EU Commission is presenting its proposal after a first agreement reached on dynamic gas price ceiling for only 90 days and on compulsory common purchases. Just discussing it has led to a 60% drop in price since August and this could positively reverberate on bills starting in November.
However, gas prices still remain very high compared to the pre-war Russia-Ukraine period. And the bad signal is also represented by the territorial percentages of non-paying citizens. In the Center and North we are at 11,5 per cent; in the South and Islands to 11,2 per cent. Waiting for the new government and its decisions, the picture is getting worse day by day, especially in the southern regions. The socio-economic conditions of 3/4 of the southern population are known, for which the statistical survey companies foresee aincrease in arrears in the coming months of another 10%. In the survey to the question "in the event that prices continue to rise, do you believe you will be forced to skip any payments?" there are 3,8 million people, based on the sample interviewed, who may not even pay the next installments of the condominium. A sum of missed payments, therefore, which risks putting sectors of the economy that revolve around energy supplies into crisis.
Giorgia Meloni wants to review the PNRR, but renewables are the future.
Looking forward to the colder months Giorgia Melonhe has been saying for days that the fight against high energy costs will be among the first measures taken by his government. The fourth aid decree could arrive at the beginning of November, after the three launched by the Draghi government. But we still don't know what Europe will decide and above all we don't know what the new executive will do to block the rise in prices at the origin. If the future Economy Minister agrees to make budget maneuvers to support families. If Giorgia Meloni claims autonomy of action, then we can imagine that she will put her hand to that "targeted update of the PNRR in the light of the crisis resulting from the conflict in Ukraine and the increase in raw material prices" as written in the Fratelli d' program Italy. The causes of the price increases are not in the hands of the Italian government. But then Meloni will take charge of the exploitation of the resources present in our territory starting from the gas fields with the reactivation and modernization of existing systems? This is also in the Fdi program.
High bills are a reflection of a radical change
The President of Confindustria Carlo Bonomi to "Mezz'ora in più" by Lucia Annunziata recalled that with respect to expensive energy there are 400 requests for authorization blocked for new energy plants. Will the government revolutionize the licensing system? From this point of view, Italy can become serious l'hub gas market and not abandon households and businesses to price fluctuations. It can aspire to a leading role in European and Mediterranean energy policy. Provided, however, that the system does not neglect the growth objectives of renewables. The rising bills are the clear mirror of a radical and necessary change. The outgoing government leaves a good budget. The incoming one, for now, has only given us passwords.
