site.btaCabinet Approves Ordinance on Energy Poverty

The Council of Ministers Wednesday approved an ordinance on the criteria, terms and conditions for determining energy poor households and vulnerable customers for electricity supply. The document was elaborated by a working group involving the ministries of labour and social policy, of regional development and of energy.

The ordinance defines vulnerable customers for electricity supply in line with recent revisions to the Energy Act. The average monthly income of a household member will be calculated by subtracting from their disposable income their energy expenses for the typical consumption based on the energy characteristics of the dwelling. The disposable average monthly income will be compared with the officially declared poverty line for the purpose of determining the household's energy poverty status, according to the definition in the amendments to the Energy Act.

The status of a vulnerable customer for electricity supply is determined on the basis of age, health status, disposable average monthly income minus energy costs, a need for assistive devices for independent living and/or life-sustaining medical devices whose functioning depends on a source of electricity, and monthly social benefits.

The disposable income of eligible persons is calculated on the basis of both non-taxable and taxable income.