From 1 June, network access tariffs will increase and customers' bills may increase by "six to 13 euros per month", according to DECO PROteste. The proposal for the new network access tariffs was presented by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) and, if approved, will impact the electricity bills of all consumers.

"On the other hand, the evolution of the energy market has given some marketers room to reduce the variable portion of the bill, since energy prices on the wholesale market have been falling since January", notes the consumer protection organisation.

This means that "for those who changed their tariff in the first months of 2024, electricity bills have even tended to decrease", but "there is no guarantee that this will continue from June".

"Although all marketers are obliged to reflect the increase in access tariffs in their invoices, there is no obligation to reflect the decrease in energy prices. This decision depends on the commercial policy of each company. And even if some marketers choose, in June, to offset the mandatory increase in the network access tariff with more competitive tariffs for new customers, in principle, nothing obliges them to review current contracts", notes DECO PROteste.

How much will the bill increase?

The organisation points out that "the value of the access tariff that each consumer pays varies according to the contracted power and consumption".

"ERSE estimates an average increase of 35.60 euros per megawatt-hour. In a scenario of consumption of 150 kWh per month, the access tariff may increase by 5.34 euros. For a monthly consumption of 300 kWh, the increase in access tariffs may reach 10.68 euros. To these values is added VAT, with different rates, which may add 6 to 13 euros per month to current bills, for the most common consumption profiles. But everything depends on the final decision on the value of the access tariffs and their distribution among the different levels of contracted power", it can be read.

And in the regulated market?

"It should not undergo significant changes. The marketers in the regulated market have their prices set by ERSE. In view of the proposal to increase access tariffs, a decrease in the price of energy in the same proportion is expected. Therefore, from June, consumers' monthly bills should remain stable compared to January", notes DECO PROteste.

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