The Council of Ministers approved the legislative decreel Bills; the provision contains measures to mitigate the cost of energy for low-income families and businesses, with benefits estimated at around 5 billion euros. The decree had been awaited for several months: the drafting went through some technical problems and the complex search for funds.
Social bonus and extraordinary contributions
Among the most relevant points of the text is an extraordinary contribution of 115 euros for 2026 on the supply of electricity in favor of families with social bonuses (those with ISEE up to 9,796 euros, or up to 20,000 euros for families with at least four dependent children). The support will be governed by an Arera resolution with a maximum spending limit of 315 million euros.
For the years 2026 and 2027, electricity sellers can recognize their domestic customers – not holders of the social bonus and with ISEE not exceeding 25,000 euros — an extraordinary contribution to cover the purchase of electricity worth approximately 60 euros. The economic value of the contribution is equal to the Energy Price component applied to consumption in the first two months of the year, provided that consumption does not exceed 0.5 MWh.
IRAP increase for energy companies
Another significant innovation is the 2% increase in the IRAP rate for companies in the energy sector. The resources deriving from the increase in taxation, estimated at 431.5 million euros in 2026, 501.1 million in 2027 and 68.4 million in 2028, will be allocated to reducing the component of general system charges relating to the support of renewable energy and cogeneration for non-domestic users (excluding public lighting).
The words of Prime Minister Meloni
It is a “very significant measure that touches on one of the priorities we had set ourselves from the beginning: reducing the burden of bills on families and businesses”, comments Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He then specifies: «It is a decree that will have a significant impact and will guarantee benefits in the order of over 5 billion euros».
The prime minister lists some examples: «A craftsman or a small restaurateur will have an average reduction of over 500 euros a year on the electricity bill and 200 euros on the gas bill. For larger SMEs the estimated benefit grows to around 9,000 euros per year for electricity and 10,000 euros for gas. We come to the largest companies, such as gas-producing ones, which will be able to benefit from a cut of over 220,000 euros per year on gas.”
I separate ETS and competition
The decree also addresses the issue of the possible unbundling of ETS (Emission Trading System) rights, which contributes to the high level of prices. The Prime Minister underlines: «We want to separate the cost of ETS from determining the price of renewables to lower costs». It is a rule that will require authorization from the European Union.
To promote competition in the gas market, Arera will introduce a liquidity service with contracts that will provide rewards for selected operators and offer obligations linked to TTF prices.
To encourage long-term trading of electricity from renewable sources, companies will also be able to proceed in aggregate form through a public platform.
Criticisms from the opposition
There is no shortage of criticism. «The Bill decree turns out to be a weak and insufficient measure», states Antonio Misiani (Pd). For Davide Faraone (Italia Viva), «the mountain has given birth to a new energetic mouse».