In one year over 1.2 million non -vulnerable families have passed to Free electric energy marketpaying for the light average rates higher than 80% Compared to those applied in Gradual protection service and of the 44% more compared to protected marketremaining active for vulnerable customers. Denounces him AssiumtheUtility Manager Associationwhich analyzed the latest data of Arera.
In January 2024 More than 4.4 million non -vulnerable families they returned to protected market electricity, which ended a July 2024. Those who have not chosen a free market operator have been automatically migrated to the gradual protections servicewhich today matters Just over 3.2 million users.
This means that, in a year, 1,230,974 families abandoned the regimes managed by Arera to move on to the free market. Of these, almost 570 thousand they left the Gradual protections Between July 2024 and January 2025choosing an operator of the free market.
Increases in the bill up to 432 euros per year
Second Assiumthis choice it was not convenientindeed, led to a Average increase in 80% costs.
In terms of spendingthe annual bill of light On the free market it was found more expensive than 432 euros Compared to Gradual protections for i Contracts at a variable priceand of 405 euros for those a fixed price.
THE’Last ARERA monitoring shows that, at the end of 2024:
- The customers of the Gradual protection service they paid for electricity 0.20 euros per kWhwith one average annual bill of 540 euros (consumption of 2,700 kWh per year).
- Those of protected market they paid 0.25 euros per kWhwith one 675 euro bill.
- The customers of the free market they paid on average 0.35 euros per kWh (fixed price contracts) e 0.36 euros per kWh (variable price), with average annual bills of 945 and 972 euros.
Aggressive telemarketing and little information between the causes
Federico Bevilacquapresident of Assiumunderlines that many consumers do economically not convenient choiceswith a heavy impact on annual bills of light.
Two main causes:
- Aggressive telemarketingwith incorrect practices that they induce many users to accept disadvantageous offers.
- Poor knowledge of the offers, the conditions practiced and the composition of the costs in the bill, which generates confusion and incorrect choices.