Consumers who adhere to the regulated gas tariff receive natural gas from long-term contracts, the so-called take or pay which, in the current climate of rising gas prices in the markets, guarantees lower prices for consumers. According to the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) “the cost of purchasing gas under these long-term contracts is less volatile than the prices observed in the wholesale markets. In the current context, the prices of these long-term contracts have increased since mid-2021 , lower than prices on international wholesale natural gas markets”.
Asked by DN/Dinheiro Vivo about the impact that a potential massive outflow of consumers to the so-called last resort suppliers, who apply the regulated tariff, could have on operators in the liberalized market, ERSE emphasizes that “the measure announced by the government is temporary , so if there is a change of customers from the current supplier to the Suppliers of Last Resort (CUR), a temporary reduction in the customer portfolios of suppliers operating in the liberalized market is expected and an increase in the portfolio of the KEUR” . There are free market groups that are also part of the CUR, such as EDP, through EDP Serviço Gás Universal, and Galp, which has nine concessionaires and licensed companies in different regions.
At stake is a universe of 1.3 million consumers who could switch to the regulated tariff, but the impact this will have on free market providers will depend on the rules set by the government, which have yet to be approved by the Council and the ministers and published in the Diário da República. Under current legislation, the regulated tariff for low-voltage end customers with annual consumption up to 10,000 cubic meters will expire at the end of 2025. For those with higher consumption, the law provides for the end of the tariff on December 31 of this year.
Dinheiro Vivo journalist
Source: DN
