Electricity tariffs for vulnerable customers to rise 37%

Electricity tariffs for vulnerable customers under the Maggior Tutela scheme are projected to increase by 37.3% in the fourth quarter of 2026. This hike, reaching 43.43 cents per kWh, is expected to impact approximately three million users. For a three-person household, this represents an additional expenditure of roughly 64 euros per quarter.

The price surge is attributed to geopolitical tensions affecting energy markets. Consumer advocacy group Altroconsumo has called on the government to implement structural interventions, such as reforming system charges and taxing energy windfall profits, to mitigate the impact. There are concerns that these increases will spill over into the free market and drive broader inflation across food and transport sectors.

In response to market volatility, some providers have introduced new offers, such as a 30% discount from Eni Plenitude, though critics note these are calculated against reference offers that have not yet been finalized. Advocacy groups are also urging support for middle-income families who are facing a progressive reduction in purchasing power.