Gas trap: 120 PLN more per month. First people get bills

Did your gas bills just go up about average PLN 120 per month? It's not a coincidence. Polish households are suffering the effects the biggest increase in gas prices in a decade, and the blame is on “war in Ukraine” and “market mechanisms”. But are you sure? And why is the government silent, while 4.2 million families Wondering how to pay the heat?

Why did gas go up 40%? The fact you won't hear on TVN

Data Energy Regulatory Authority (URE), from January to September 2023 the price of gas for households increased by 39.7%. This is not the end – further increases were announced, which could scope the end of the year 55% per year. authoritative explanations?

• Increase in gas prices in the TTF marketplace in the Netherlands by 150% since 2021.
• The request for diversification of supply after the termination of contracts with Gazprom
• Infrastructure retention and modernisation costs

But there's another bottom. How Think Tank Serves Energy Forum, gas distributors' margins increased in the same period by 22%. – "Consumers pay not only for natural material but besides for fresh yachts of the CEOs of energy companies" – comments Dr. Inż. Marek Ziółkowski, energy marketplace expert.

Who's gonna die first? Groups most threatened by increases

Not everyone will feel the same rise. They will hit the most:

1. Household gas-heating housing above 70 m2 – additional 180-240 zł/month
2. Families with income below PLN 4000 net – present 37% of them spends more than 20% of the budget on energy (GUS)
3. Residents of old tenement houses without thermomodernisation – heat losses scope there 60%

An example? A pair of pensioners from Krakow who pay for gas now 430 PLN per month alternatively of PLN 310. – “We gotta choose between medicines and heating” – they talk to the local portal.

Government “support”: PLN 200 surcharge and... silence

In consequence to the crisis, the Ministry of Climate announced a single payment of PLN 200 for 3.6 million farms. This amount will cover Only 6% of yearly costs rise for the average family. Experts are ruthless:

• “It’s like extinguishing a fire with a glass of water” – Prof. Anna Żyła, economist from the University of Warsaw
• "The surcharge does not solve the systemic problem of dependence on gas imports" – Sobieski Institute report

Even worse, to get help, you gotta fulfill 7 conditions, including having a gas contract before 1 February 2023 and income not exceeding PLN 2100 per person.

How can you not get robbed? 5 endurance Strategies

1. Instant thermomodernisation – replacement of windows (to 35% savings) and insulation of walls (to 25%). Clean Air Program offers up to 136 000 PLN grant, but in 2023 only utilized it 62,000 families.
2. Switch to W-3.5 tariff – if you usage more than 5500 kWh per year, you can lower your bills by 18%.
3. Collective gas purchases – municipalities specified as Wrocław negociate prices 12-15% lower than individual recipients.
4. Pressure control in the installation – besides advanced force increases consumption even by 7%.
5. Night fare – shifting 30% of consumption to hours 22:00-6:00 saves savings 8-10 %.

Did you know that...? Shocking practices of gas sellers

• 40% of Poles does not check current rates in contracts, paying on average 0.33 PLN/kWh alternatively of negotiating PLN 0.28
• Presidents of the largest gas companies They make money. PLN 48,000 per month – 27x more than the national average
• Transmission charge is already 45% of the account – in 2010 it was 28%

Worst-case scenario: What if gas prices jump by another 100%?

Goldman Sachs analysts foretell that in the event of severe winter and disruption in LNG supplies, prices may increase to 600 PLN/MWh (currently: PLN 280). That would mean:

• Average gas bill at home 100 m2: 720 PLN/month
• Increase in inflation to 12-14%
• Bankruptcy of up to 120,000 households

While average Poles number all gold, energy companies evidence record profits – 30% higher than in 2022. Is the rise truly the Putin effect, or is it a convenient smoke screen for stealing citizens' pockets? 1 thing is certain: without revolution in energy policy and true control of marginsEvery single cold will cost us... more and more.