Lithuania Introduces 'Silent Consent' for Electricity Savings for 285,000 Consumers

Lithuania is introducing a significant change to its electricity supply system, aiming to simplify options and ensure savings for approximately 285,000 vulnerable consumers who have not yet transitioned to a public supply tariff. The move is part of an effort to make the energy system more accessible and understandable for all citizens.

Under the new approach, a "silent consent" principle will be implemented. This means that eligible consumers, including vulnerable and small households using under 1000 kWh annually, will be automatically moved to the public supply tariff of 20 cents per kilowatt-hour unless they actively choose to opt out. This measure is designed to benefit those who may have been deterred by the complexity of the system or a lack of information.

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From the very first days I took office as Minister of Energy, it was very important for me to ensure that what is not easy at first glance is as convenient and understandable as possible for every Lithuanian resident. This example perfectly illustrates this.

Energy Minister Lukas Savickas explained that while consumers have time to decide, the silent consent principle streamlines the process. He noted that about 400,000 vulnerable electricity consumers exist in Lithuania, with a substantial portion still eligible for the public supply option. The goal is to ensure these individuals can access a more affordable rate without needing to navigate complex comparisons between different suppliers.

Savickas emphasized that the supplier has a duty to either offer a lower price or inform the consumer about the automatic transfer to the public supply tariff. This ensures that consumers benefit from the most favorable rate, estimated to save them between 3 to 9 euros per month. The initiative prioritizes the principle of ensuring the best available price for consumers, rather than focusing solely on the specific cent amount.

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The supplier has such an obligation: either to ensure a lower price or to inform the consumer that they will be transferred to the public supply tariff. So the resident only has to act actively if they want to refuse this opportunity. If the person does nothing, they will automatically be transferred to the public supply, which applies the most favorable tariff – 20 cents per kilowatt-hour.