The decisions of the refineries and others involved in the circulation of fuel for their commercial policy regarding the granting or not of discounts in heating oil and of course the fluctuation of international prices and exchange rates are the factors that will determine the price of fuel at the start of the heating season, in mid-October.

Market estimates currently indicate that the price of oil at the start of the heating season (October 15) it will be close to 1.5 euros per liter.

However, the intervening time is long and the price that will be formed then depends on the fluctuation of international prices and the euro / dollar exchange rate.

It is recalled that the starting price in 2022 was 1.41 euros (i.e. not too far from the estimates for this year) and resulted after the state horizontal subsidy of 0.2 euros per liter plus VAT and the additional subsidy of 7.5 cents per liter from refineries. This year no horizontal subsidy is foreseen from the budget, but a possible discount from the refineries remains to be announced.

At last year’s levels (350 euros multiplied by degree-days) but with expanded income criteria for families with children, the heating allowance remains.

Specifically, the income limit remains the same for single (16,000 euros) and married (24,000 euros), but increases for families with children from 3,000 euros for each child to 5,000 euros for each child.

In electricity, respectively, the framework for additional support for vulnerable households, residents of areas with increased energy needs, the crackdown on strategic non-payers and electricity thefts is expected from the Ministry of Environment and Energy as announced by the Minister Mr. Th Skylakakis through his interview with APE – MEB.

Electricity prices have largely leveled off as a megawatt-hour on the Energy Exchange has fluctuated in recent months between 90-110 euros, from 200-400 euros it had reached last year.

As for electricity theft, the success of the ministry’s efforts will mean a significant benefit to consumers as the cost of energy that is consumed but not billed (it is stolen by the prudent), is spread among all consumers and “inflates” the bill by 4%.