Energy regulator fines companies €1.6M in first half-year

  • Lusa
  • 12 July 2021

In the first six months of the year, the regulator received 73 complaints and detected 96 situations that could be considered illegal.

The Energy Services Regulatory Entity (ERSE) imposed fines totalling €1,630,300 in the first half of the year, of which it received €835,300, and decided on 20 administrative offence proceedings, which resulted in eight convictions, it announced on Monday.

The 20 resolved cases resulted in eight convictions, 10 dismissals and two cases referred to other public entities, as the Energy Sector Sanctioning Regime did not cover the infractions.

“The administrative offence proceedings arose, namely, from interruptions of energy supply, billing and non-submission of contracts promptly, communication of readings, non-availability of the complaints book and unfair commercial practices,” ERSE pointed out.

In the first six months of the year, the regulator received 73 complaints and detected 96 situations that could be considered illegal.

ERSE also received eight reports from public entities, namely from the National Entity for the Energy Sector, the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE), the Directorate-General of Energy and Geology (DGEG) and the Regional Authority for Economic Activities of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

During the first six months of 2021, 15 new administrative offence proceedings were also opened.

As a result of the transaction procedures, 132 consumers received compensation this year, totalling €9,935, with individual amounts ranging from €20 to €1,000.

According to the regulator, 709 consumers have been compensated since 2015, with a total value of €63,140.