Today, in a joint statement, Eesti Energia and the Competition Authority announced the price of universal electricity service, which is 15.4 euro cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). It is not yet the final price, because each seller now comes up with his final price, to which the margin and VAT are added.
Universal service is a selective measure by the state, which helps people mitigate risks and mitigate potential price increases in the coming winter. All customers whose current electricity package is more expensive are automatically transferred to the universal service. All private consumers and apartment associations can voluntarily join it.
Eesti Energia is obliged to sell electricity as a universal service to both domestic consumers and all electricity distributors from October 1 of this year until April 30, 2026. Other electricity sellers can also offer universal service to their customers, and they have the right to buy the necessary electricity from the state electricity producer.
If the consumer decides to switch from his current package to a universal service, according to the bill, the electricity seller cannot ask the consumer for a fine until September 30, 2023.
In November, the universal service should also be extended to small businesses.