Italian regulator ARERA outlines steps to cut household gas and electricity bills

Italian households face high gas and electricity costs, with heating accounting for up to 70 % of domestic gas consumption during winter. Consumer advice recommends lowering thermostat settings to 19‑20 °C, reducing night‑time temperatures, improving insulation and using appliances efficiently to lower bills without sacrificing comfort.

ARERA president Nicola Dell'Acqua explained that wholesale energy prices constitute about 60 % of the final bill, limiting the regulator’s ability to intervene directly. ARERA is focusing on greater market transparency, including a new monitoring unit to watch price movements and prevent speculative behaviour, and on gradually reducing system charges. A phased cut in these charges is planned to start in 2028, alongside a longer‑term shift toward renewable energy sources, which should ease the burden on consumers over time.