"ERSE - Regulatory Authority for Energy Services decided, by the end of the 1st half of 2021, on 20 administrative proceedings and imposed fines in the amount of 1,630,300 Euros", informed the regulator, in a statement.

Of the total amount of fines, ERSE clarified, 835,300 Euros were received, since two cases were decided in a transaction procedure, which implies the reduction of the fine by half, as the targeted companies assumed the infractions, avoiding judicial litigation and agreed to compensate the injured customers.

The 20 cases resolved resulted in eight convictions, 10 filings and two cases referred to other public entities, as the infractions were not covered by the Sanction Regime of the Energy Sector (RSSE).

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

In the first six months of the year, the regulator received 73 complaints and detected 96 civil wrongs.

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

As a result of the transaction procedures, 132 consumers received damages, this year, in the total amount of 9,935 Euros, the amounts, individually, varying between 20 and 1,000 Euros.

According to the regulatory authority, since 2015, 709 consumers have been compensated, in a total amount of 63,140 Euros.