Now the Energy Voucher Act, amending some laws to set prices for electricity, natural gas, and district heating, will be signed by the President.
The most important of the Senate amendments, supported by the Lower House of Parliament, is the temporary exemption (from July 1 to December 31 this year) for households from capacity charges, which would further limit the expected increase in electricity bills from July 1. . Capacity charges for 2024 for farms range from PLN 2.66 to PLN 14.90 net per month depending on electricity consumption, so for the entire second half of the year, the decrease in bills will range from PLN 15.96 to PLN 89.4.
While working on the bill in the Senate, Senator Stanisław Jawłowski (KO) said that exempting households from energy tariffs would reduce the increase in electricity bills expected from July 1 “by a quarter or even a third”.
The rest of the amendments approved by the Senate were essentially technical in nature.
What do we know about the energy voucher?
Under the law, the energy voucher will be a one-time cash benefit intended for low-income households, paid in the second half of 2024. The amount of the voucher will depend on the number of people in the household. Thus: one-person households will receive support of PLN 300, two- and three-person households will receive PLN 400, households with four to five people will receive PLN 500, and households with six or more people will receive PLN 600. . If your household uses electricity-powered heating, the value of your energy voucher increases by 100%. Depending on the size of the farm, the amount will range from PLN 600 to PLN 1,200.
The new regulations stipulate two income limits: up to PLN 2,500 for single-person households and up to PLN 1,700 per person for multi-person households. When paying the voucher, the “PLN for PLN” principle will apply. This means that the voucher will be granted even if the income criterion is exceeded, but its value will decrease by the amount exceeded.
Energy voucher. Where to apply?
Under this law, an application for payment of an energy voucher must be submitted to the mayor, mayor or city chief of the applicant’s place of residence. Applications must also be submitted between August 1 and September 30 of this year.
The law also assumes the introduction of the maximum electricity price in the period from July to December 2024, at the level of PLN 500/MWh for households and at the level of PLN 693/MWh for local government units and public utility entities as well. As for small and medium enterprises.
The impact of the law on gas and heat prices
In the case of gas, as of July 1, the law removes the price freeze for customers subject to the tariff at PLN 200.17 per MWh and introduces a price ceiling equal to the tariff of the largest retailer – PGNiG OD.
The act requires the so-called obligation of sellers to submit electricity and gas to the head of the Energy Regulatory Bureau to change their tariffs under the threat of losing compensation for selling energy below the tariff prices. The tariffs of the committed electricity sellers are currently PLN 739 per MWh, and the tariff of the committed gas seller, PGNiG OD, is PLN 291 per MWh.
The new regulations also limit the increase in heat costs, but with a gradual increase in maximum prices and rates. The compensation mechanism for the supplier’s retention of specific heat prices is scheduled to remain in effect for one year, until the end of June 2025, but by the end of this year the price will be PLN 119.39 per gigajoule, and in the first half of next year – PLN 134.97 per gigajoule. .
Deputy Head of the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Miosz Mutica, noted that the law will cover 3.5 million families. He informed that the total cost of the new regulations in terms of supporting sensitive beneficiaries is about PLN 9 billion.
Echo Richards embodies a personality that is a delightful contradiction: a humble musicaholic who never brags about her expansive knowledge of both classic and contemporary tunes. Infuriatingly modest, one would never know from a mere conversation how deeply entrenched she is in the world of music. This passion seamlessly translates into her problem-solving skills, with Echo often drawing inspiration from melodies and rhythms. A voracious reader, she dives deep into literature, using stories to influence her own hardcore writing. Her spirited advocacy for alcohol isn’t about mere indulgence, but about celebrating life’s poignant moments.
