MILAN, Italy
The Italian Competitors Authority (AGCM) introduced on Could 6, 2025, that it has closed its investigation into Enel Energia, a subsidiary of Italy’s largest utility, Enel S.p.A., for alleged unfair industrial practices associated to contractual renewals. As a part of the decision, Enel Energia has dedicated to offering over €5 million in compensation to greater than 40,000 affected prospects, addressing issues about unclear communication concerning adjustments to contract phrases.
The investigation, launched in April 2024, targeted on Enel Energia’s practices between July 2023 and April 2024, particularly the shortage of transparency in notifying prospects about gasoline and electrical energy price will increase upon contract renewals. The AGCM discovered that renewal notices, usually despatched through net channels, lacked readability about new financial situations, doubtlessly deceptive prospects. This prompted complaints from customers and advocacy teams, together with a category motion lawsuit filed by 5 Italian shopper associations in December 2024, which accused Enel Energia of unilaterally altering contracts.
Below the commitments accepted by the AGCM, Enel Energia will mechanically compensate affected prospects, together with those that filed complaints about unclear renewal notices. Clients who remained with Enel Energia will obtain a bonus on their payments, whereas those that switched to different suppliers will likely be issued a credit score notice. Moreover, Enel Energia has pledged to reinforce transparency by implementing a complete notification system, together with SMS, electronic mail, app alerts, and bill reminders, to obviously inform prospects of upcoming adjustments to contract phrases.
The decision has elicited blended reactions. Codacons, a shopper advocacy group, expressed satisfaction with the compensation measures, whereas the Nationwide Customers Union (UNC) criticized the shortage of a punitive effective, arguing it weakens deterrence. Posts on X mirrored comparable sentiments, with some customers praising the compensation as a win for customers, whereas others echoed the decision for stricter penalties.
Enel Energia maintains that it acted in compliance with rules, stating that it solely proposed renewals of expiring phrases as per contractual agreements, with out making unilateral adjustments. The corporate’s commitments to the AGCM mark the top of the antitrust probe, avoiding a proper effective however requiring important reparative motion.
This case follows a separate €79 million effective imposed on Enel Energia by Italy’s knowledge safety authority in February 2024 for telemarketing abuses, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of the utility’s buyer practices. The compensation plan is predicted to roll out within the coming months, offering aid to hundreds of Italian households amid rising power prices.
