Energy prices and the energy voucher. What do you need to know?

Since the beginning of July 2024, the Energy Price Freeze Act has been in force, extending this mechanism, but under slightly different rules. The most important facts related to this are analysed by lawyer Aneta Dybinska of BWW law firm.

The realisation of energy prices is taking place gradually due to the necessary protection of the lowest income consumers. The government has extended the energy price freeze until the end of this year and raised the maximum price – from 41 gr. to 50 gr. per kWh. In doing so, there will be no energy consumption threshold.

A return to normality and competitiveness

– We are halfway through a return to normality on the electricity sales market. The gradual unfreezing of energy prices means a gradual increase in competition, which translates into more attractive offers from sellers. The necessary protection is extended to those who need it most,’ points out mec. Dybińska.

The government has also suspended the collection of the power fee for six months. Households will save from a few to several zlotys per month. Distribution charges, on the other hand, have been completely unfrozen. They account for approximately 40 per cent of the value of the entire invoice.

– The release of distribution charges is not surprising. The DSO area is facing a huge amount of key investments for the economy and energy security. It can be expected that distribution system operators will apply to the President of URE to increase tariffs, which will translate into higher distribution bills, analyses an energy market expert at BWW law firm.

Energy voucher

The one-off benefit will go to 3.5 million households with the lowest income (up to PLN 2,500 monthly income for single-person households; up to PLN 1,700 per person for multi-person households).

Households with higher income can also benefit from the voucher. It will then be reduced by the amount by which the income limit is exceeded (i.e. singles with an income of PLN 2,700, for example, will receive a voucher, but by PLN 200 less.

It is worth noting that with this act, the date of entry into force of the provisions on the virtual prosumer of renewable energy was also postponed by one year (i.e. until 1 July 2025).

This interesting and necessary institution was supposed to enable the smallest consumers (e.g. households) to use electricity generated by an RES installation, e.g. photovoltaic panels, located in a place other than the place of consumption of this energy. However, we will have to wait another year for this solution.