Italy Powered - FAQs / Useful Information

ITALY POWERED ELECTRICITY - FAQs

1. How long does the switchover process take?
This will take up to a maximum of 4 months, but the process is usually completed on average in 2 months. It is dependent on ENEL. When you sign your contract, you may now specify a date 4 months on, when you would like your new supply to commence from. (Enel now have to comply within these 4 months). This is faster than other electricity providers!

2. Is there a minimum term contract?
No! You can switch back to ENEL at any time. Simply call them and it will take from 1-2 months.

3. How long are the rates fixed for?
For 1 year, from when you take out your contract.
"Please note, after 12 months with us we will reward your loyalty with one month’s free electricity!*

4. How much notice will I receive of increases or decreases in rates?
You will receive a letter after 1 year advising you of any changes in rates. At this point you can decide whether to stay with us or switch your provider.

5. How often will I receive my bill?
Bills are issued monthly. You can choose to receive this by email or by post, to any address in the world.

6. Do I pay my bill in advance or 'in arrears'?
You pay for what you have used in the previous month, as you would with ENEL.

7. I have seen mention of something called 'Art.3.3' of the GCS, which makes mention of 'additional fees and charges'. What does this mean for me?
This is a standard Italian tax, charged by any power supplier in Italy. It is approximately 13Euro per annum, and is already figured into your electricity bill. It is not an additional fee.

8. Is it possible to see a sample bill?
Yes - please see separate tab above.

9. Is it possible to speak with other clients using the company?
Unfortunately, due to our privacy and confidentiality policy this is not possible. Please refer to our feedback page, however, for testimonials from satisfied customers.

*This does not include the line rental from Enel.

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SAMPLE ELECTRICITY BILLS

Please find below 2 sample bills to give you an idea of what to expect.
Please note, these use an old tariff. Our new, flat-rate is 0.75 cents per KWh - saving you even more on your electricity bills!

SAMPLE 1

SAMPLE 2

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ITALY POWERED GAS - FAQs

1. How long does the switchover process take?
This can take up to 6 months, but the process is usually completed on average in 2 months. It is dependent on your gas supplier.

2. Is there a minimum term contract?
No! You can switch to another supplier at any time. Simply call them and it will take from 1-2 months.

3. How long are the rates fixed for?
For 1 year, from when you take out your contract.

4. How much notice will I receive of increases or decreases in rates?
You will receive a letter after 1 year advising you of any changes in rates. At this point you can decide whether to stay with us or switch your provider.

5. How often will I receive my bill?
Bills are issued monthly. You can choose to receive this by email or by post, to any address in the world.

6. Do I pay my bill in advance or 'in arrears'?
You pay for what you have used in the previous month, as you would with your current supplier.

7. Is it possible to speak with other clients using the company?
Unfortunately, due to our privacy and confidentiality policy this is not possible. Please refer to our feedback page, however, for testimonials from satisfied customers.

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THE FREE MARKET

1.What is the free market?
From 1st January 2003, Italy completed the process of liberalising the natural gas market.
This effectively meant that the companies that deliver, (distribute), natural gas were separated from those who sell it. The local distributor, which operates under a multi-year concession, will continue to deal with network management and maintenance, establish new connections and provide the gas emergency service.
Customers remain connected to the local distributor’s network, but may buy gas from a different sales company, such as Italy Powered.
Today, anyone can choose who supplies their gas, while remaining connected to the local distribution network.

2.Who then does the customer deal with?
The customer deals primarily with the seller, (for example Italy Powered), who in turn enters into the contract for the supply of gas and covers all the operations required by the contract terms, such as issuing bills.
However, the customer can still contact the distributor regarding any technical issues or problems.

3.What does the gas distributor do?
The distributor, who operates a concession authorised by the local authority, manages the distribution network, and acting on behalf of the vendor, connects the customer to the gas network, manages all operations and activities relating to the supply of gas to the meter, and is responsible for measuring activities such as installation, maintenance, testing and periodic reading of the customer’s meter.

4.Can the distributor refuse a connection?
The distributor can refuse a connection if the equipment is not up to safety standards.

5.Who, then, is the ‘seller’?
The seller buys the gas in bulk and then sells it on to the customer. In addition, the seller pays the transportation network costs according to a tariff fixed by the Authority for Electricity and Gas. In order to get the gas to the customer, the seller needs to maintain a relationship with the distributor for all the activities related to the transport, distribution and infrastructure necessary for the supply of gas to the customer.
The seller is the company that offers customers the supply of gas, and is the one with whom the customer signs the contract for the purchase of gas, (for example Italy Powered). The seller can also ‘hold’, on behalf of the customer, the relationship with the distributor for all those activities related to gas connections or work to be done on the distribution network.

6.What do I do in the case of an emergency?
As in the past, the local distributor is responsible for the provision of a 24 hour emergency service.
In such a situation, you must call them.
The phone number can be found on your invoice.

7.Who is responsible in the event of a disruption in gas supply?
The continuous supply of gas is delivered by and the responsibility of the local distributor, but may occasionally be interrupted for operational reasons, such as maintenance activities etc.
Any interruptions, therefore, are in no way attributable to the supplier, i.e. Italy Powered.

8.In the case of an interruption in supply, who do I complain to?
Any complaints related to such interruptions should be directed to your relevant distributor.

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UNDERSTANDING MY GAS BILL

A) How is the price of gas made up?

According to the economic conditions of supply, end-users pay for the following component services and charges:
WHOLESALE MARKETING: refers to the energy component, or the cost for the purchase of the "raw material" gas. This accounts for about 40% of the total gas bill after taxes, and is influenced by the international prices of hydrocarbons, (updated quarterly by the Authority for Energy);
RETAIL MARKETING: this takes into account the costs for marketing and sales services, such as business management, customer services, etc. It represents approximately 4.5% of the bill and consists of a fixed value for each supplier, (the "point of delivery"), and a variable value linked to the consumption of the customer.
TRANSPORT AND STORAGE: This is the sum of the costs of transport networks, (the use of the national network of gas pipelines), and costs incurred to ensure the movement of gas, and to compensate for network losses and imbalances between the gas entered into the networks and that withdrawn. It represents about 5% of the gas bill. The storage costs are the costs for the service of underground gas "storage", from where it is taken to meet the market demands at different times, or to meet any emergencies. This cost represents approximately 1.5% of the bill.
DISTRIBUTION AND RELATED MARKETING: is the set of costs for distribution services. This item includes the costs of installation and maintenance of meters, detection, measurement and data recording operations of a commercial nature, the costs of networks and systems of measurement and billing, the provision for measures and actions for saving energy, the development of renewable sources, increasing the quality of service and cost containment for clients with low power consumption, and compensation costs of retail marketing. The distribution rate represents approximately 14.5% of the gas and electricity bill and is divided into a fixed and a variable fee. The fixed rate is defined for each field or geographical area, the variable fee, in addition to being defined for each area tariff, varies depending on the amount of gas consumed, and is differentiated by consumption brackets.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES AND TAXES: refers to a series of charges, (such as contributions to the control of gas consumption), and account for about 0.3% of the total bill for gas and taxes provided by law. The taxes include excise duty, (based on 4 consumption brackets and two macro areas,( North and Central South Centre), the additional regional, and VAT calculated on the sum of all items on the bill, (10% for the first 480 cubic meters consumed and 20% thereafter). Taxes represent about 39% of the bill.

B) What are the “co-efficients measuring the volume” on my bill?

On your gas bill, there are two items regarding the volume of gas:-
‘PCS’ is the calorific value of a cubic metre of gas, (the heat), under standard conditions and is used to convert cubic metres into energy, (the physical quantity for the customer), and is a parameter common to all natural gas service systems.
‘Conversion factor C volume’ shows the volume under standard conditions. This conversion is necessary because the volume of the same amount of gas is dependent on the temperature and pressure under which it is delivered. So for example, the same amount of gas, (and energy) delivered in Belluno would occupy a different volume from if it were delivered in Palermo.
Therefore, to ensure the customer pays the same amount, it is necessary to bring the measure of the volume to a standard reference, (atmospheric pressure and 15 degrees C).
For the additional protection of customers, the Authority for Energy has begun the introduction of modern and efficient electronic devices for this measurement. Companies must install these into 80% of households by 2016.

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SAMPLE 1

SAMPLE 2