FISH: 92.3% of consumers disappointed with Power Pass subsidy amount

92.3% of consumers say they are disappointed with the amount of the Power Pass subsidy, according to a survey by the Consumer Quality of Life Association (EKPOIZO).

The consumer association notes that recently it has been receiving a large number of complaints from consumers regarding the amounts they received from subsidizing their electricity bills, through the Power Pass platform, and proceeded with a survey with the main objective of recording and capturing the degree of consumer satisfaction with the amounts they received but also, in general, for the problems faced by consumers regarding the increase in the cost of electricity.

The survey was carried out, through the website of EKPOIZO and its social media, for the period from July 20 to July 27, 2022. The sample was random and consists of members and non-members of the association and 1,142 responses were collected.

As EKPOIZO states in its announcement, the answers show that 92.3% of the respondents, who were beneficiaries of the subsidy, stated that they are not satisfied with the amount they received.

Of the beneficiaries of the Power pass, 26.1% belonged to the category from 0 – 17 euros, 24.7% received from 18 – 50 euros, 15.2% from 51 – 100 euros, 17.4% from 101 – 200 euros, 8.5% from 201 – 300 euros and 8.1% from 301 – 600 euros.

Regarding problems faced by consumers regarding rising electricity costs, 17.6% said they have been threatened with a power outage by their energy supplier in the last quarter, while 3.1% have experienced an outage.

Important, EKPOIZO estimates, is the fact that 24.5% of the respondents stated that the monthly electricity bill corresponds to 10% of their monthly income, while for 27.2% it corresponds to 20%. Also, a relatively a significant percentage (16.8%) stated that it corresponds to 30% and 14.4% to 50% or more of the monthly income.

Finally, consumers regarding the question “Which measure do you consider to be best in terms of reducing energy costs” answered 89.9% that they wish to abolish the adjustment clause, while 42.7% the use of targeted measures in a green transition (Save programs, Energy communities/Solar energy exploitation systems, etc.). A lower percentage (14.5%) responded positively to the measure of subsidizing electricity bills.

As reported by EKPOIZO, the conclusions are as follows:

– The majority of consumers feel that their expectations were defied by the amounts they received through the subsidy.

– The largest percentage belonged to the category that did not receive any subsidy, while the majority received between 18 – 50 euros. A very small percentage (8.1%) received between 301 and 600 euros.

– It is also noteworthy that 17.6% of the respondents receive threats of power cut, due to the inability to pay the increased bills.

– The risk of poverty or social exclusion is considered particularly high due to the reduction in monthly income, as well as the power outage experienced by households.

– The vast majority calls for the final abolition of the readjustment clause, while a large percentage of consumers want the use of renewable energy sources.

– Finally, subsidizing energy bills is not considered by consumers as an effective measure to protect them. The reasons are that, on the one hand, it does not solve the problem of excessive increases in electricity bills, and on the other hand, the percentage of those receiving the subsidy is small.

EKPOIZO notes that energy as a social good and a universal service must be affordable, accessible, uninterrupted to all consumers, which is why it calls on the State to act and take the initiative, regarding the following issues:

1. To disconnect from the Energy Exchange the price of the kilowatt hour for the consumer and to provide for regulations that ensure transparency, limit the risks and prevent the speculative exploitation of consumers, in order to protect them from the jump in prices and the intense volatility that characterizes energy market.

2. The readjustment clause should be abolished and any readjustment should be determined with reasonable, predictable, objective and transparent criteria as defined by the consumer protection law.

3. All consumers have access to simple, understandable, friendly, comprehensive, transparent and affordable bills. Bills must be limited to electricity consumption only and third-party charges must be separated.

4. Non-interruption of power to vulnerable consumers (unemployed/long-term unemployed, single-parent families, financially ill, people with disabilities (AMEA), large families, chronically ill, uninsured, elderly, students), as well as the redefinition by the State of the inclusion conditions in the Social Household Tariff (CTO).

5. The adoption of favorable arrangements for overdue debts for all consumers based on their income and especially the facilitation of vulnerable consumers through the possibility of settling debts in more installments.

6. Availability of fixed tariffs from all energy suppliers at affordable prices.

7. Observance by suppliers of the basic principles governing the formulation of electricity tariffs, namely cost-orientation, transparency, simplicity and equal treatment.

8. The immediate reduction of the balance of energy bills and indirect taxes, mainly VAT and VAT, in order to achieve a balance of prices and incomes.

9. Debtor information companies to be more flexible and comply with the law.

10. The adoption of a plan to deal with energy poverty in terms of the optimal utilization of available energy resources (green energy).

For all the above reasons, EKOPOIZO. calls on the relevant Ministries of Environment and Energy, Development and Investments and the RAE to activate to enforce the legislation for the protection of consumer rights when these are at stake, with substantial interventions, but also with the imposition of sanctions, where this is necessary.