ERSE wants to hear from consumers, companies and experts before officially changing electricity tariff schedules, changes that could influence how much we pay every month and that should only come into force from 2027.
In recent years, the energy consumption profile of the Portuguese has changed a lot, and it is precisely this evolution that is now leading the regulator to review the way time periods are defined. The proposal has officially entered public consultation and promises to change the routine of millions of homes.
Right at the beginning of the document, the Energy Services Regulatory Authority explains that it intends to adapt tariff schedules to the actual use of the electricity grid. At stake is the need to ensure greater efficiency and avoid heavy investments in infrastructure that could be avoided with a more balanced distribution of demand.
Adjustments to real consumption
According to , the new electricity hours should better correspond to the time of day when the Portuguese consume more or less energy. For the regulator, this alignment will also help reduce transportation and distribution costs, with a direct impact on the final invoice.
With almost all Low Voltage consumers equipped with smart meters, around 99%, there is already the technical capacity to apply new rules practically universally. This equipment allows for more precise measurements adjusted to different hourly rates.
The change also follows studies carried out throughout this year, including technical analyzes and contributions from the Tariff Council. The goal has been to find a model that better reflects current standards and can be applied transparently.
What changes in light hours
Among the proposals presented, the change in peak hours in three-hourly and four-hourly tariffs stands out. If approved, these will be concentrated mainly at the end of the day, disappearing the existing division between morning and early afternoon.
For those with a two-hour tariff, ERSE suggests delaying the start of the off-peak period. In the daily cycle, this would be in force between 9:00 am and 11:00 pm. On weekdays of the weekly cycle, the period would extend from 7:30 am to half past midnight.
Despite the changes, the regulator guarantees that the duration of periods, peak, full, normal empty and super empty, will remain the same as what is already foreseen in the current Tariff Regulation.
Important simplifications
Another new feature is the proposal for a uniform daily cycle throughout the year. With this change, there would no longer be a distinction between summer time and winter time, simplifying the understanding of tariffs by consumers.
The weekly cycle would also be simplified, with the alternative model used at higher voltages no longer existing. According to ERSE, this standardization will make the general functioning of the electricity system clearer.
To make life easier for consumers, the regulator will make calculators available that allow them to simulate the impact of the new rules on each consumption profile. They are essential tools for anyone who wants to understand whether they will save more during the day, at night or on the weekend.
What does it take to be an officer?
The public consultation runs until January 23, 2026 and is open to all interested parties, from individuals to companies, including sector associations. Contributions will be analyzed before the final version of the measure is established.
After this stage, ERSE will make a public presentation of the main contributions received. The regulator also intends to impose communication obligations on network operators and market agents to ensure that consumers are properly informed.
However, even after final approval, the regulator warns that the new tariffs “will never come into force before January 1, 2027”. This is a transition that requires technical preparation and adaptation on the part of all parties involved.
At a time when energy prices remain sensitive to international fluctuations, changes in time periods can represent a real opportunity for savings. It now remains to be seen what the final version will be like and to what extent it will change the consumption habits of the Portuguese.
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