Here we are! We are in the Free Energy Market
Since 1 July 2024, the electricity and natural gas market in Italy has seen a significant transformation: the definitive transition to the free market. This change represents an extraordinary opportunity for consumers and companies to freely choose their energy supplier, benefiting from personalized offers and economic advantages. But is it really that easy to choose a new manager? Every day we are inundated with energy offers, how do we choose the one best suited to us?
Protected Market VS Free Market
In the protected market, in force until 30 June 2024, electricity and gas prices were established by the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment (ARERA) for both domestic consumers and small businesses.
From 1 July 2024, however, all customers who until now had been served in the protected market were involved in the liberalization process, which allowed approximately 9 million users to abandon the protected market and choose between the different offers proposed by a new supplier, except for specific categories of users who are still protected.
“Vulnerable” Customers
As anticipated, not all users have been affected by the end of the greater protection service: in fact, so-called "vulnerable" domestic customers can remain there. These are those who:
- They are in economically disadvantaged conditions (recipients of social bonuses, for example)
- They are in proven and serious health conditions that require the use of medical-therapeutic equipment powered by electricity (and, where present, people in such conditions)
- They are subjects with disabilities (art. 3 L.104/92)
- They have a user in an emergency housing facility following events such as natural disasters
- They have a user on a smaller, non-interconnected island
- They are over 75 years old
For these categories, the protected market will continue to remain active even after 1 July, guaranteeing continuity and stability in energy services.
