By Vangelis Dourakis

“Trap” extra charges up to 60% hides for electricity consumers to apply the new notorious bi -zonal invoice since February 1.

Those who insist on the habits they have adopted to date – after decades of application of the so -called “night” invoice – and continue to operate energy -efficient devices during the evening hours are at risk of paying “gold” for electricity.

Households who may fall into the “trap” of expensive charges are those with “green” household invoices and active bi -zonal (night) invoice (recording meter in two zones or new smart meter).

Who are at risk of falling into the “trap” of excessive charges

And this is because if after the changes – which will be adopted in low -billing hours – they insist on operating their devices during the time they were used to “cheap” electricity, eg from 11pm to 1 in the morning during the summer months, then They will be surprised: the costs will increase spectacularly and as they will find, they can even reach 0.20 euros per kilowatt hour.

Difference that can burden up to 60% a consumption of 500 kW.

CAUTION, then: From February 1, the implementation of the new duplicated low -billing system begins, which in relation to the current “night” invoice offers a total of 2 hours less cheap electricity. The new Biano invoice consists of the meridian zone and the night zone.

More specifically, the hours per zone and season, which will be valid from Monday to Sunday, are shaped as follows:

Winter hours, lasting from November to March:
– Meridian zone: 12 pm – 3 pm
– Night Zone: 2 am – 5 am

Summer hours, long from April to October:
– Meridian zone: 11 am – 3 pm
– Night Zone: 2 am – 4 am

The new bi -zonal system of reduced electricity pricing will first relate to consumers who have an appropriate meter and active bi -zonal (nocturnal) invoice (recording meter in two zones or new smart meter).

What is true today with the night invoice

The night invoice regime – which is in place today – was adopted in the country’s power generation when the thermoelectric units were leading, but today with the penetration of renewables the situation has radically differentiated the landscape.

And for the night invoice there is winter and summer hours. The winter hours last from November 1 to April 30 with reduced charges from 02.00 to 08.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00.

The summer hours are valid from 1 May to 31 October with reduced charges from 23.00 to 07.00.