All spheres of the Catalan public administration, the Government of Catalonia, the four provincial councils and municipalities, via the two entities which represent them, are acting to back energy rights for citizens and ensure supply companies comply with law 24/2015 to combat energy poverty. Between them they have agreed a protocol for action to achieve this objective via a single agreement. One of the main features is to stipulate that companies must cover a minimum of 50% of costs generated by energy poverty, with measures such as social pricing and the writing off of debt for vulnerable families.
“We have a good tool. It’s a mechanism which comes from a citizen initiative and we must see that it is complied with”, explained the Mayor, Ada Colau, referring to law 24/2015 by the Parliament of Catalonia to combat energy poverty.
The Mayor also pointed out that today’s act at the Palau de la Generalitat represents “a common front by Catalan administrations so there are no excuses and so energy companies comply with the law and assume their coresponsibility on energy poverty”.
The agreement, which is intended to legally safeguard those who are most vulnerable, establishes that companies must approach municipal social services before cutting anybody off.
It also obliges energy supply companies to conduct free energy audits, provide users with full and clear information about their consumption and options available to improve it, and set up a one-stop window for procedures such as changes to the power contracted, supply issues and invoicing problems.
The common protocol means supply companies will have to cover a minimum of 50% of the costs generated by energy poverty, with social pricing, writing off debts and direct financial support.