New 2026 energy rules tighten protections for families and small businesses

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New 2026 energy rules tighten protections for families and small businesses

A poster with text and a logo that reads "When companies sneak hidden junk fees into families' bills, it can take hundreds of dollars a month out of their pockets."
Christine Miller
Christine Miller
1 Min.

New 2026 energy rules tighten protections for families and small businesses

New rules for energy suppliers will come into force on January 1, 2026. The changes, introduced by ARERA, aim to protect families and small businesses using electricity and gas. Stricter standards will apply to customer service and compensation for outages.

ARERA has set clearer response times for handling complaints. Automatic compensation payments will also increase, though exact figures for households and small firms remain unavailable. The regulations cover low-voltage electricity users and gas customers consuming up to 200,000 standard cubic meters annually.

Call centres now face tougher requirements, including voice assistants and online support. The goal is to ensure faster and more reliable help for customers. Suppliers must comply with these rules by the start of 2026 to avoid penalties.

The reforms focus on reducing delays and improving transparency. Small businesses and families will receive stronger safeguards against prolonged disruptions. ARERA has not yet released data on how these changes will affect average payouts for power cuts.

The updated regulations will take effect in early 2026. Energy providers must meet stricter service standards, including faster complaint resolution and higher compensation. The measures target better protection for households and small commercial users.