This year’s fourth EKR auction in the energy efficiency obligation system (EKR) took place on Thursday, and as summarized in the table below:
the price of all three certified energy saving categories (HEM) has fallen considerably.
For the price of HEMs with a lifespan of at least 5 years, we see a rough drop of 58.1% to HUF 5,450 compared to the price established at the September auction, but the price of doubly billable HEMs also fell significantly (-24.9%, HUF 9,010/gigajoule).
At first glance, the above price drop seems surprising in light of the fact that the plan to significantly tighten the EKR regulation came out just the other day. As we pointed out, the obligation of electricity and gas traders and service providers, as well as those who sell fuel to final consumers, would increase considerably.
According to Portfolio’s market information, despite the planned tightening, the price of the three types of HEM fell sharply because the big players stayed away from the auction, so the demand side weakened and this depressed the prices.
The absence may be due to the fact that the EKR obligation is not tightened to the extent that it was in the version subject to social consultation, i.e. a quasi-relaxation is likely. However, as a result of the falling HEM prices, it has become a serious question whether the free attic insulation wave that has picked up recently in Hungary will continue.
In addition to the HEM price of HUF 9,010, which can be billed twice, it is not worth it for the contractors to offer the insulation of the attic to those interested for free,
because their costs are more than the income they can get from the sale of HEMs.
In recent weeks, we have written about the upswing of the wave of attic insulation, the main driving forces, and the recent tightening measures of the Energy Agency, as well as the amendments planned in the EKR:
The cover image is an illustration. Cover image source: Getty Images
Source: www.portfolio.hu
