more than 20% of the electricity bill, or more than 120 euros per year, consumers can save by choosing the cheapest tariff from those available on the market.

This results from the analysis of the new electricity pricing environment, implemented since January, with the intervention of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, conducted by the VaasaETT house and analyst Ioannis Korras.

It is noted that VaasaETT, together with the energy regulatory authorities of Austria (Energie-Control) and Hungary (MEKH), compiles the European energy price index HEPI (Household Energy Price Index) on a monthly basis.

According to the analysis, while consumer interest is focused on choosing the appropriate tariff “colour” (green: special tariff with advance price notification, yellow: floating, blue: fixed), however, the analysis highlights that significant savings can also be achieved by choosing the most suitable offer even from the same tariff category.

The analysis is based on data on the tariffs of the three largest suppliers in January, the first month of the system’s implementation, and VaasaETT’s wholesale price forecasting models.

The main conclusions are:

-In January, the yellow tariffs presented the cheapest price, at 22 cents Euro/kWh (final price with taxes). By choosing this product compared to the cheapest green tariff available, a consumer saved 2.5 euros for the first month, while the corresponding amount amounted to 8.3 euros when compared to the cheapest blue tariff.

-Significant differences are observed between tariffs of the same category: A consumer will be asked to pay 9 euros less for the month of January, having chosen the cheapest yellow tariff compared to the most expensive option available among the yellow tariffs.

-Green tariffs presented the smallest price range. For example, in January the difference in the final price between the cheapest and the most expensive green tariff offered by the 3 largest suppliers was only 1 euro.

-Fixed price (blue) tariffs are currently at the upper end of the price range, with the cheapest blue option almost matching the more expensive yellow tariffs for the month of January. However, they offer price stability and predictability, while protecting consumers in cases of sudden price increases in the wholesale market.

-The wholesale price forecast shows an upward trend in the second half of the year and leads to notable differences, with the yellow tariff once again emerging as the cheapest option. Instead, the analysis shows that consumers who chose a fixed blue tariff in January will pay more annually compared to the other alternatives, assuming there is no unexpected rise in wholesale prices.

-Choosing the cheapest yellow tariff throughout the year, compared to the cheapest green, implies a saving of 14 euros. In addition, if compared to the more expensive yellow option, the annual savings are estimated to exceed 120 euros, an amount that constitutes 20% of the total bill. This highlights the wide range between yellow tariff prices and further highlights the significant savings potential for consumers through regular price comparison.