Nine questions and answers from EKPOIZO for the convenience of consumers – Where can the public find detailed information
Nine questions and answers have been posted on its website by the Quality of Life Consumers Association (i cook) for the new electricity tariffs, which will be valid from January 1, 2024.
This is done so that consumers know what is changing with the news electricity bills and be able to choose what suits them best.
In detail, the questions and answers are as follows:
1. What are the categories of electricity tariffs?
– The tariffs are fixed for a certain time, with a fixed supply price (Euro/Kwh) for the entire period of the contract with the energy supplier.
– Floating, are the tariffs (with an Adjustment Clause), which are linked to indices of the wholesale market on the Energy Exchange. They are divided into two main categories:
i. by setting a price in advance of the consumption period, and
ii. with post-fixing of price
– Dynamic, which refers to the possibility of dynamic pricing, with different prices – even during the day – based on market prices. A condition for their selection is the installation of a certified smart meter in the supply of consumers, who will be able to control their consumption through telemetry.
2. What are the new invoices with the specific transparency color markings?
– The blue tariff, with a fixed kilowatt-hour and fixed price and a fixed-term contract (one to two years). There is no risk, however both the kilowatt hour price and the fixed price can usually be high.
– The green tariff is a special tariff, with a variable kilowatt-hour price, which results from the sum of the basic supply price and the fluctuation mechanism, according to the relevant ministerial decision of the Ministry of the Interior, where those who do not choose a specific tariff by 31/ 12/2023. Its special feature is that its structure will be simple and uniform, allowing comparability for all suppliers.
Specifically:
1. The final price of the kilowatt hour will be announced every first of the month.
2. The prices will be posted in a prominent place on the website of RAAEF.
3. The base commission price will remain fixed for a minimum of six months.
4. While the coefficients of the fluctuation mechanism will remain constant for at least three months.
5. The fixed fee is up to five euros.
6. Suppliers are obliged on the 1st of each month to announce on their website a price that will follow the modification (incorporating any discounts, their profit margins, etc.), which will be comparable for everyone.
7. The prices of the suppliers will be posted in a prominent place on the RAAE website, so that one can compare them easily and immediately and choose the most advantageous one.
– The yellow tariff, with a variable kilowatt-hour price, which you change according to the fluctuations of the stock market. It has an adjustment clause and the price is announced at the end of the month.
– The orange invoice, with dynamic hourly pricing. Consumers must have a smart meter, and the price will be adjusted based on consumption, even hourly. In particular, they provide real-time information to consumers, facilitate energy savings and support demand response.
3. From when will the new tariffs apply?
From December 1, 2023, suppliers were invited to publish on their website – in a conspicuous place – and to notify the FSA of all the tariff parameters of the special tariff, which will apply to each category of customers.
Consumers who do not choose one of the available tariffs by 31 December 2023 will automatically switch to green from 1 January 2024. However, they can return to their previous contract with the energy supplier until 31 January 2024 and choose any type of tariff or supplier through a new contract, at any time.
From January 1, 2024, electricity bills must bear specific color markings and be announced on the supplier’s website, according to what is defined by the color category to which they belong. They should also be announced on the RAAEF website.
4. Do I have to choose a color right away?
The supplier should have already sent you an information letter about the green “special” invoice, but also the types of invoices that will be available from 1.1.2024. In addition, their color marking, the type to which your existing invoice belongs, the invoice’s invoice characteristics and also what will happen on 1.1.2024 to your invoice if you do not choose another product.
If you have not chosen yet, we would suggest that you go to your supplier’s website and check the new invoices with the special transparency marking to choose the one that meets the needs.
Also, refer to the R.A.A.E.Y. Price Comparison Tool. (www.energycost.gr), so you can check all energy suppliers and the new tariffs.
If you do not choose an invoice color, you will automatically switch to the green “special” invoice for which you can choose another invoice at any time.
5. What should I keep in mind?
Billing for a paper bill is not allowed.
Check the consumption profile to see what suits you best from the new tariff marking.
You must receive from suppliers full and transparent information about pricing and contractual terms.
In the blue invoice, in case of departure before the end of the contract, an early departure fee is provided. Therefore we carefully check before signing the contract, the deposit and the special conditions. Also, unilateral modification by the supplier is not allowed, throughout the duration of the contract.
In the yellow tariff, the kilowatt-hour price changes according to the fluctuations of the stock market, so the risk is high.
In the green tariff both fixed and discounts can change every month.
In particular, suppliers must comply with specific pricing conditions for the parameters of the green “special” tariff (fixed charge, basic supply price, type and coefficients of the variation mechanism (Adjustment Clause), as well as the amount of discounts provided to be applied by the 1/01/2024.
In the offers given by the energy suppliers, for example in the consistency discounts, you need to be careful and check whether the amount of the discount is cumulative for the entire duration of the contract. Some electricity suppliers advertise giving away gifts to consumers. Consumers should evaluate the gifts offered before entering into a supply contract. For example, an offer of 300 euros against future consumption should clearly state at what price it will be applied and at what time horizon it will be given.
In case of changing supplier, you should keep in mind:
– The type of provision
– The billing period
– The liquidation cycle carried out by DEDDIE
It appears from supplier announcements that competition has increased and that this will normally lead to lower prices. However, the new tariff system will require a period of adjustment both on the part of consumers and suppliers, but also on the part of the supervision of RAAEF.
Electricity is a common good of vital importance and all consumers have the right to access safe, clean and competitive energy.
6. How can I compare energy suppliers’ tariffs?
From January 1, 2024, consumers through their accounts and in every information message from the Suppliers, electronic or printed, will be able to compare the invoiced supply product with the others offered by category through a QR code (it will be scanned and read via a smart phone) consumer, as well as checking through a reference to their account the publication website of the R.A.A.E.Y. Price Comparison Tool. (www.energycost.gr). There, consumers will be able to be informed, every month, of the price of their supplier’s special common tariff and compare it with all the tariffs offered.
7. What are the obligations of energy suppliers and DEDDIE?
The transparency markings are displayed distinctly on the first page of the consumption bill, as well as on all the supplier’s standard forms, on its website and in promotional activities.
There is an obligation to fully, transparently, reliably and non-misleadingly inform consumers about the contractual and pricing conditions of their products, so that consumers can make an informed/conscious choice.
They must adhere to the principles of cost-effectiveness, equal treatment and the protection of the rights of all consumers, and accounts must be simple, understandable, friendly, comprehensive and transparent.
In addition, the network is modernized with the use of intelligent metering systems (smart meters), with frequent counting and billing of a clearing account, and the provisions of internal and European legislation are applied for the existence of conditions of healthy competition and, in general, the orderly functioning of the market.
8. What about vulnerable consumers?
Emergency support for the energy vulnerable, based on heating needs for electricity. The range of emergency support for energy vulnerable consumers who heat with electricity ranges from 45 euros to 480 euros. The aid is granted based on the income and property criteria, which apply to the oil, natural gas and other sources heating allowance, while those who receive the above heating allowance, as well as those included in the Social Household Tariff (COT) will be excluded from the grant , which will continue to be strengthened (more through AADE’s electronic platform “myHeating”).
In 2024, the targeted subsidies on the electricity bills of beneficiaries of the Social Household Tariff (CTO) will continue.
Especially with regard to families with large children, the social tariff KOT C applies to large families and in this context, expanded income criteria for inclusion are provided, while property criteria will not be taken into account. Beneficiaries will join the social tariff (KOT C) through the IDIKA electronic platform, by submitting a relevant application.
9. Where can I contact in case of protest/complaint?
– To the Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water (RAAEF) (independent regulatory authority and responsible, among other things, for monitoring and supervising the operation of the energy market and consumer protection), which initiates the procedure for imposing sanctions in the event that a violation is found . You can send a request/complaint via the “Consumer Information & Support – my.rae.gr” platform (after registering to obtain a password), so that the supplier can respond in writing and directly to your issue. For more information you can refer to the website of RAAEF.
– In E.K.POI.ZO.
Useful websites:
https://ypen.gov.gr/ypegrafi-i-ypourgiki-apofasi-gia-tin-efarmogi-tou-prasinou-timologiou/
https://ypen.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FEK-2023-Tefxos-B-06600.pdf
https://ypen.gov.gr/plirofories-gia-ta-timologia-ilektrikis-energeias-me…
https://www.rae.gr/katanalotes/
https://www.rae.gr/katanalotes/xrisimes_symvoules
https://www.rae.gr/katanalotes/times-kai-xreoseis/
https://www.rae.gr/genika-nea/74660/
https://rae.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/%CE%91%CE%A0%CE%9F%CE%A6%CE%91%CE%A3%CE%97-409-. pdf
