Only 11 per cent of respondents in a research survey recently conducted on behalf of the Polish Electricity Association (PKEE) on consumer attitudes in Poland said that the increase in electricity prices was a “problematic issue” (25 August).
The survey asked Poles about the products and services that have increased the most this year, in their opinion. Almost half pointed to groceries (45 per cent) and the cost of household heating (16 per cent) while 11 per cent of the respondents said that high electricity prices pose a problem to their household budgets.
According to PKEE, such “good results” are a result of the price control measures introduced by the Polish government during last year’s energy crisis, including the Solidarity Shield price cap, which was recently amended.
“The Solidarity Shield is an exceptionally effective solution for protecting energy consumers from the effects of rising electricity prices,” said Maciej Maciejowski, Communications Director at the Polish Electricity Association. “This is of course a temporary measure. Thanks to the Shield, this year’s electricity bills will not be an additional challenge for Poles. In order to permanently stop the increase in prices, we are investing in the energy transformation: in zero and low-emission energy sources, in its storage, as well as in transmission and distribution lines,” he added.
Under the original “Solidarity Shield” electricity prices for 2023 were frozen up to certain limits at the level of rates from the previous year. For households this was up 2,000 kWh for households, and up to 2,600 kWh for households with people with disabilities and up to 3,000 kWh for households with a Large Family Card (families of three or more) and seniors who raised at least three children, as well as for farmers.
Following the recent amendments, the consumption limits have been increased. Depending on the type of household, they range from 3,000 to 4,000 kWh. As a result, households are expected to pay up to 3,000 złotys (671 euros) less for their electricity bills. In turn, households with people with disabilities are expected to save up to 3,600 złotys (805 euros) while farmers and families with a Large Family Card could keep up to 4,000 złotys (894 euros) in their budget.
The difference between the production and the end-user price is covered by the Price Difference Payment Fund, financed by energy producers, the state budget and coal companies.
According to a separate EY analysis commissioned by PKEE, the energy transformation in Poland will cost at least 600 billion złotys (134,1 billion euros) by 2030.