Extension of energy price protections into 2024 across electricity, gas, and heat
The government is moving to extend the freeze on prices for key energy services into 2024. The plan covers households for electricity and is set to apply to gas and heat as well. Details appear in the latest entry of the government’s ledger of legislative and program work, which outlines the draft law amendments designed to support consumers of electricity, gas, and heat, together with related statutes.
Extension of support
The proposed extension preserves the operation of protection mechanisms within the amendment to the law, recognizing energy access as a fundamental need in modern life. The measures aim to shield a broad group of beneficiaries from rising electricity, gas, and heat costs in 2024 while balancing household financial capacity, market energy prices, and the overall cost burden on the state budget. This is highlighted in the legislative record.
The project details a continuation of current support for household consumers and for energy use in similar contexts, such as common building areas, garages, summer houses, and collective housing. In addition, the draft law includes a plan to keep price and tariff limits stable for distribution charges and requires energy providers to bill domestic customers using 2022 price baselines in 2024 within approved tariffs.
The legislative record confirms that limits on energy consumption that qualify for cheaper energy would be maintained. The maximum energy price is set to apply to so-called vulnerable recipients, local authorities, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a ceiling of PLN 693 per megawatt-hour.
Domestic customers will see this maximum price apply to settlements after they exceed the legal consumption limits.
– explained.
Compensation mechanism
The record also notes that the proposed solutions will introduce a compensation mechanism for trading and distribution companies, with payments managed by the Settlement Administrator SA. Under the Solidarity Shield framework, electricity prices for households were maintained at the 2022 level up to established consumption limits of 3,000 kWh for most households, 3,600 kWh for households with persons with disabilities, 4,000 kWh for farmers, and for families holding the Large Card Families designation.
Additionally, the information indicates that the maximum gas price will be extended through 2024. This ensures stable gas supplies for household consumers and entities delivering essential public services under 2023 conditions, while preserving liquidity for energy trading companies and the gas distribution network.
The draft regulations propose a guaranteed maximum price for gas and for distribution service tariffs, aligned with 2023 levels for customers protected under tariff schemes. The plan also extends heat protection under the existing rules through 2024, keeping system heat prices for protected consumers at levels not higher than those in effect on September 30, 2022, adjusted by 40% within each tariff group of a given heating system. For heat recipients with permits, this means stable prices for heat throughout 2024 at or below the defined ceiling.
The regulations suggest that eligibility for assistance will be confirmed by a declaration submitted to the heat vendor. This approach aims to maintain predictable costs for households and service providers while ensuring transparent eligibility and administration of support.
Context and implications
These measures reflect a broader effort to stabilize energy affordability during times of market volatility. By freezing tariffs, maintaining consumption thresholds, and streamlining compensation, policymakers seek to protect vulnerable households and essential public services. The framework addresses the need to balance household budgets, market dynamics, and the financial viability of energy suppliers and distributors.
For families and communities in North America, this approach echoes similar priorities: maintaining affordable access to electricity, gas, and heat while ensuring reliable delivery networks. The policy contours emphasize predictable pricing, transparent eligibility, and the long-term sustainability of the energy system.
The plan also outlines mechanisms to safeguard the liquidity of energy traders and distributors, supporting smooth operation through fluctuations in energy markets and demand. The overarching objective is to preserve energy security and affordability across households and critical public services, even as market conditions shift.
In summary, the draft law proposes 2024 continuation of price protections for electricity, gas, and heat, complemented by a robust compensation framework and clear eligibility rules. The final form will determine how households, local authorities, and service providers experience energy costs in the coming year.