Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of Digitization, Krzysztof Gawkowski, announced that the government had adopted the draft law on the energy voucher. The maximum price of electricity will be set at PLN 500/MWh, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister announced.
-We talked about energy support for Polish women and men. It is a good decision of the government, because it will be support, Gawkowski told journalists after the government meeting. On Tuesday, an away meeting of the Council of Ministers was held in Katowice.
The Chancellery of the Prime Minister also announced on Tuesday that the Council of Ministers had adopted the draft act on the temporary limitation of prices for electricity, natural gas and district heating, as well as on the energy voucher.
Maximum price
As indicated by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the government intends to limit the increase in energy prices in the second half of 2024. People with lower income will be able to use an energy voucher, and the maximum price of electricity will be set at PLN 500/MWh. -If it were not for the government’s intervention, the tariff rate (without the freeze) would amount to PLN 739 MWh – emphasized in the announcement.
Moreover, in the second half of 2024, the current maximum price of PLN 693/MWh will be maintained for: local government institutions, public utility entities – e.g. schools, nurseries, hospitals, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. Energy companies will receive compensation for applying the maximum price.
Voucher for the poor
As indicated by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the energy voucher will be a one-off cash benefit intended for approximately 3.5 million lower-income households. There will be two income thresholds: up to PLN 2,500 for single-person households and up to PLN 1,700 per person for multi-person households. The support will be available to, for example, retirees whose benefit is below the minimum pension, as well as pensioners whose benefit is equal to the minimum pension. It currently amounts to PLN 1,780.96.
The amount of the energy voucher will depend on the number of people in the household. Thus, single-person households will be entitled to support in the amount of PLN 300, two- and three-person households – PLN 400, households with four to five people will receive PLN 500, and households with six or more people – PLN 600 – the release states. If your household uses heating sources powered by electricity, the value of the energy voucher will increase by 100%. Depending on the size of the farm, it will range from PLN 600 to PLN 1,200.
When paying out the voucher, the “PLN for PLN” principle will apply. This means that the voucher will be granted even if the income criterion is exceeded, but its value will be reduced by the amount exceeded – explained the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.
Applications from August
An application for an energy voucher can be submitted to the commune from August 1 to September 30 this year. The application will be considered within 60 days. The money should be paid in the fall of 2024 or early 2025.
“In addition, the purpose of the new regulations is to ensure the supply of gas fuels at a stable, acceptable price level for gas fuel consumers until December 31, 2024. The operation of the maximum heat supply price mechanism will also be extended until June 30, 2025,” we read in the release.
According to the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the government intends to allocate over PLN 6 billion for the implementation of protective measures.
The proposed solutions are to enter into force on the day following their announcement in the Journal of Laws. (PAP)