The government has brought forward the date of October 1 for the entry into force of the diploma that allows customers with an annual consumption of less than or equal to 10 thousand cubic meters to switch to the regulated natural gas market. So from this Wednesday, consumers can already return to the previous regime, according to the decree-law published this Tuesday in the Diário da República. Traders now have until October 21 to post proposals on the website that allow customers to switch without red tape.
The transition from one market to another has so far only been possible for electricity contracts or specific situations in the gas market, but given the rise in energy costs combined with the rise in inflation, which amounted to 9% in August, the government has decided to proceed with this measure. However, gas was excluded from the VAT reduction from 13% to 6% for electricity for the first consumption.
Despite the expected increase of the gas price on the regulated market of 3.9% as of 1 October, it will still be 10% lower compared to the cheapest offer on the free market and 60% lower compared to the supplier with more customers (EDP), according to the government.
So how is it possible to return to the regulated natural gas market? The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) has prepared an explanatory guide with 12 points to help consumers:
1. What is the market is the regulated market?
In this regime, contrary to what happens in the liberalized market, the activity of the various natural gas suppliers is completely subject to the rules established by ERSE. This means that last resort suppliers (CUR) can only apply rates and prices that are fully set by ERSE. The contractual rules are also approved by ERSE and are the same for all CUR.
2. Who can change?
From September 7, all customers (household consumers and small businesses), whose annual gas consumption does not exceed 10,000 m3, can conclude a natural gas supply contract with their supplier of last resort (CUR) geographical area.
3. What should I do?
If you are covered by the natural gas network, check here the CUR of your geographical area, stating your municipality. Then contact the CUR that supplies natural gas in your geographical area directly. The new legislation also obliges the CUR to make electronic contract forms available on their websites within a maximum period of 45 days. The CUR regulates the entire switching process, without extra costs and other charges or burdens for the consumer and without interruption of the supply of natural gas. The change process is simple and all you need to do is contact the CUR.
4. How long can I stay on the regulated market?
It can remain on the regulated market until December 31, 2025, without prejudice to the reassessment of this measure within 12 months. Consumers with a social tariff can choose to be supplied by the CUR under all circumstances. The CUR also ensures the supply to customers whose supplier on the free market no longer has the economic and legal conditions to maintain the supply of natural gas.
5. Is it necessary to carry out a new inspection of the natural gas installation?
A change of supplier does not require an extraordinary inspection, provided there is no interruption of supply for technical reasons, gas leaks or modification of the installation components. The new legislation also does not require the submission of a valid declaration of verification before switching to the last resort supplier.
6. What if you have a contract with a loyalty period?
Check the contract itself or contact your supplier to see if a loyalty period is in effect. You can always change suppliers, but if this change occurs before the end of the contract and within a loyalty period, you may have to pay a penalty, provided in the contract itself and in the invoices. The amount of the penalty may not exceed the direct economic loss for the supplier resulting from the premature termination of the contract.
7. What should I do if the current supplier informs me that the price of natural gas will increase from 1 October?
In the event of a change to the contract terms, the supplier must propose and justify the new price in writing at least 30 days prior to the date on which the changes take effect. The supplier must also inform the customer that he can dissolve the agreement if he does not wish to accept the new conditions. If the consumer does not accept the proposed change, he can look for a new supplier within the 30-day period, by entering into the relevant contract, either on the open market or directly from the supplier of last resort on the regulated market . If the change takes effect after the 30-day period, you may be required to pay for natural gas at the new proposed price until the change process is complete. Switching suppliers can take up to 3 weeks under normal circumstances.
8. What if you purchased additional services at the same time as the supply of natural gas?
The supply of natural gas is independent of the additional service (eg technical assistance, purchase of insurance or equipment) and must be contracted separately. As such, additional services do not stop customers from switching suppliers. However, the obligations set out in the additional service contract you concluded with your previous supplier will remain in effect.
9. What if you do not yet have a natural gas contract?
All natural gas consumers, with an estimated annual consumption of not more than 10 thousand m3, can choose to enter into a supply contract directly with the supplier of last resort in their geographical area, whether or not they have a natural gas contract.
10. I have the same contract for electricity and natural gas (double supply). If you only want to change the gas supply, what happens to the electricity supply?
If the current supplier agrees, he can maintain the contract only for the supply of electricity, but it is possible that the contract terms will be changed, including the price. If this is the case, the consumer should check whether the possible increase in the electricity price (by changing contract conditions) compensates for the switch to the regulated market. Alternatively, you always have the following options to consider:
• conclude a contract for the supply of electricity and natural gas with another supplier on the open market;
• enter into an electricity supply agreement and a gas supply agreement with different suppliers on the free market;
• conclude a contract for the supply of electricity with a supplier on the free market and a contract for the supply of natural gas on the regulated market or vice versa;
• conclude an electricity supply agreement and a natural gas supply agreement on the regulated market.
11. Is it possible to return to the liberalized natural gas market at a later date?
yep. Consumers can switch suppliers as often as they want. The change process is simple and free. ERSE advises consumers to regularly run simulations using the ERSE energy price simulator to find the best contract proposal. If desired, consult the list of suppliers and suppliers of last resort of natural gas and ask some to send you a contract proposal. These proposals can also be found on the companies’ websites.
12. What if something goes wrong? What should I do?
Start by filing a complaint with the supplier you signed the new contract with. Use the available service channels (telephone, face-to-face, internet) or the electronic complaints book. If the complaint is not resolved, there are several bodies that can inform and support you: ERSE, consumer associations, municipal consumer information and support services, and consumer dispute arbitration centers. The arbitration centers for consumer disputes are supported by the Ministry of Justice and ERSE, among others, as they include an arbitration court that can settle the dispute with its supplier. The supplier is obliged to accept the decision of the arbitral tribunal, which has the same value as a court decision. The process is fast and free.
Dinheiro Vivo journalist
Source: DN
