As of this Wednesday, residential consumers and some SMEs can change the supply of natural gas from a contract in the liberalized regime to one covered by the regulated one. The Government believes that, with this, consumers will be able to save on the gas bill compared to what they would pay if they remained in the liberalized one, whose prices will suffer, in October, aggravations that in some cases are almost double.
EDP Comercial and Galp announced that, in October, they would increase the rates they charge for the supply of natural gas to their customers. In the case of EDP, a 170% increase in the gas bill was reported, and only for gas, including taxes and fees, a measure that affects more than 650,000 domestic customers (who also contract, at the same time, EDP Of electricity). ) . Galp has also announced that in October customers will have a monthly increase of eight euros in the most representative category of customers. Goldenery announced increases from 6 to 10 euros.
Given the increases announced from August to October in the liberalized market, the Government announced that it would begin to allow consumers to return to the regulated market, which will also increase in price in October, but in less significant amounts. The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) has determined that these prices will rise 8.2% as of October 1, compared to the average price charged the previous year. Taking into account the increases that have occurred throughout the tariff period (from October to October), the last increase being in July, consumers in the regulated market will have, in October 2022, an average increase of 3.9% compared to the previous month.
For this reason, Duarte Cordeiro, Minister of the Environment, estimates a saving of 10% for those who are in the regulated market compared to consumers in the liberalized one, a percentage that could be much higher – he said 70% – if the pre-increases are considered. announced in October.
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Source: Observadora
