12:39 15 October 2023
The Polish government must decide whether to extend energy support
Prices of energy and gas for households are frozen, but only until the end of 2023. Meanwhile, wholesale prices are still high. As soon as possible after the elections, a decision should be made on whether to continue the support.
The prices of natural gas for households have been frozen since 2021. Regardless of the level of consumption, the net price is PLN 200.17 per megawatt-hour. The difference from the previous year is that the 23 percent VAT rate is again in effect. Since April, bakeries and pastry shops using gas to heat their ovens have also been paying the same prices as households. The fees for other businesses are regulated by the sellers' price lists.
In particular, electricity prices seem to be a priority in this situation. In September, experts from Forum Energii estimated that the tariff approved by the Energy Regulatory Office (URE) for 2024 could be up to 70 percent higher than the rates that households pay today.
The Polish government is facing a difficult decision on whether to extend the energy support for households and businesses. The current freeze on prices is costing the government billions of zlotys, and it is unclear whether it can be sustained in the long term.
