Electric bills: Increases in households, reductions in occupational

Increases of 11% for residential customers consuming up to 800 kWh in four months and decreases to 3.4% for small and medium businesses, as well as to common power areas, will be effective from 25th of July 2014.

The domestic bills for those with consumption greater than 800 kilowatts, the night bill and the Social Residential remain unchanged, while those with consumption up to 800 kWh may, if they haven't already done so and if they meet, other requirements, join the Social Residential Tariff.

Changes in rates were announced yesterday in implementing policy for eliminating cross-subsidies, which charge of a class of consumers in favor of another are substantially subsidized.

Specifically:
Increases in domestic for around 2,160,000 sites, mainly cottages and second homes where consumption is low (up to 800 kWh in four months).

The increase occurs with the removal of the first step (0-800 kWh) in bills and its integration to the next level.

The weighted average increase in the total bill (including charges for networks, taxes etc) stands at 11.1%, while quantitatively corresponds to 1.9 euros / month for 400 kWh consumption of the quarter, and 3.8 euros / month for 800 kWh consumption of the quarter.

The reductions will apply to approximately 1.4 million small and medium enterprises (offices, small shops, bakeries, workshops, small industries, workshops, medium-sized office buildings, department stores, mid-sized craft, other production units, etc.) and public areas.

In professional invoice C21 (offices, shops, communal, workshops, small industries, workshops, etc), the weighted average reduction is 3.4% on the total bill. For commercial customers consuming 2.000 kWh the quarter, the total bill reduction amount to about 3.7 euros / month.

In professional invoice C22 (office buildings, department stores, medium industries, etc.), the weighted average reduction is 1% on the total bill. For business customer with three-phase power and monthly consumption 7.000 kWh, a reduction in the total bill amounts to about 11.6 euros / month.

In professional invoice C23 (night), the weighted average reduction is 2.2% on the total bill. For commercial customers with single-phase supply and consumption in the four months 2.750 kWh to 2.250 kWh day and night, total bill reductions amount to about 6 euros / month.

In energy (since the other networks charges, taxes, etc. remain unchanged) the increase in domestic bills escalates to 20% and reductions in occupational to 6%. Recall that in June were increased charges for networks (0.5 to 0.8% weighted average for households), while the decision to increase charges for utilities is pending. The charge for renewable energy (ETMEAR) "freezes" for the second half of 2014.

People who have consumed less than 800 kWh in their first home are invited to apply to www.deddie.gr or call at 11770, in order to examine whether they meet the conditions for accession to the Social Residential Tariff. 565,000 consumers have already joined (people with low incomes, parents with three dependent children, unemployed, people with disabilities, those in need of mechanical support, many children) and with the recent expansion this number is expected to increase.

The public electrical company notes in its announcement that:

- It won't have any financial gain or loss from the rationalization of tariffs, as adjustments result to a neutral effect. Soon, it will announce new commercial incentives to consumers.

- Energy costs in Greece remain among the lowest in the EU.