Bill payments suspended for six months in areas affected by Cyclone Harry.
The Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment (ARERA) has approved an emergency measure to help the populations of Sardinia, Calabria, and Sicily affected by the severe weather that occurred between January 19th and 22nd.
Therefore, for six months, there will be a suspension of payments on electricity, gas, water and waste bills.
Resolution number 20 of the ARERA (Italian Environmental Protection Agency) concerns all utilities and supplies to households and businesses located in the municipalities damaged by the cyclone, as identified by the Civil Protection Department following the government's declaration of a national emergency.
The measures, it is specified, apply to "all invoices and payment notices issued or to be issued with a due date starting from January 18, 2026, including any costs for connection, activation, deactivation, transfer, or takeover services or any additional fees charged by waste management companies."
Furthermore, "detachment procedures for non-payment, even those occurring before the same date", will be suspended .
As already provided for mortgages, Arera explains, to access the benefits, the holders of the affected utilities and supplies must submit a request to the supplier by April 30, 2026 , using a form that the operator itself will make available on its website.
Once the six-month period has elapsed, unpaid amounts will be paid in installments over a minimum period of 12 months , "without discrimination and without charging interest to customers and users, in order to facilitate the resumption of payments and reduce the economic impact on affected families and businesses."
Here are all the Sardinian municipalities affected by the decision : Alà dei Sardi, Aritzo, Armungia, Arzachena, Arzana, Ballao, Barisardo, Barrali, Baunei, Belvì, Bitti, Bolotana, Bono, Buddusò, Budoni, Burcei, Cagliari, Calangianus, Calasetta, Capoterra, Carbonia, Cardedu, Castiadas, Decimoputzu, Desulo, Dolianova, Domus De Maria, Domusnovas, Donori, Dorgali, Elini, Elmas, Escalaplano, Escolca, Esterzili, Fonni, Gadoni, Gairo, Galtellì, Genoni, Gergei, Giba, Girasole, Gonnesa, Guasila, Iglesias, Ilbono, Irgoli, Isili, Jerzu, Laconi, Lanusei, Loceri, Loculi, Lodè, Loiri Porto San Paolo, Lotzorai, Lula, Luogosanto, Mamoiada, Mandas, Maracalagonis, Monastir, Muravera, Musei, Narcao, Nuoro, Nuragus, Nurallao, Nuraminis, Nurri, Nuxis, Olbia, Oliena, Olzai, Onanì, Onifai, Oniferi, Orani, Orgosolo, Orosei, Orroli, Orune, Osini, Padru, Perdasdefogu, Perdaxius, Piscinas, Posada, Pula, Quartu Sant'Elena, Quartucciu, Sadali, Samatzai, San Basilio, San Giovanni Suergiu, San Nicolò Gerrei, San Sperate, San Teodoro, San Vito, Sanluri, Santadi, Sant'Andrea Frius, Sant'Anna Arresi, Sant'Antioco, Sarroch, Selargius, Serdiana, Serramanna, Serri, Seui, Seulo, Siliqua, Siniscola, Sinnai, Siurgus Donigala, Soleminis, Suelli, Talana, Telti, Tempio Pausania, Tertenia, Teti, Teulada, Tonare, Torpè, Tortolì, Tratalias, Triei, Ulassai, Urzulei, Ussassai, Uta, Vallermosa, Villa San Pietro, Villacidro, Villagrande Strisaili, Villanova Tulo, Villaperuccio, Villaputzu, Villasalto, Villasimius, Villasor, Villaspeciosa.
(Unioneonline/L)