Deregulation in the Energy Sector. What does the UDER92 draft propose?

The UDER92 Act introduces changes affecting energy consumers, energy companies, district heating, and the industrial sector. The regulations aim to standardise the way bills are presented, streamline certain procedures, and reduce selected administrative obligations.

The changes also cover rules for customer communication, the process of installing meters, investments in the heating sector, and the mandatory gas storage system.

Clearer energy bills

Electricity bills will include a transparent summary placed on the first page of the document. It will contain the most important information related to the settlement:

• total amount due,

• cost of consumed energy,

• cost of its distribution,

• contract validity period.

Separating the costs of energy and its delivery is intended to make it easier for consumers to analyse their bills. The draft also introduces more transparent rules for determining fees related to early termination of fixed‑term contracts.

Energy meter installed within a specified deadline

The new regulations aim to organise the process of connecting consumers to the grid. The distribution system operator will have a maximum of 21 days to install an electricity meter.

The deadline will be counted from the moment the operator receives information about the conclusion of an energy sales contract. This solution is intended to reduce delays occurring at the final stage of initiating supply.

Electronic contact, with the option to choose

From 30 June 2027, the basic form of communication between energy companies and consumers will be electronic contact, e.g., via e‑mail or an online customer portal.

This does not mean abandoning paper documents. Every consumer will be able to choose traditional correspondence after notifying the energy company of such a decision.

People who received paper documents before the new regulations enter into force will retain their current form of contact without needing to take any additional action.

Changes in district heating systems

The draft includes a package of regulations concerning the modernisation of the heating sector. The Energy Law will introduce definitions of heat and cold storage facilities, which will organise the rules for installations enabling the storage and later use of thermal energy.

The changes also concern electric boilers. The draft specifies the conditions under which the heat they produce may be recognised as originating from renewable sources.

The update of regulations will also cover cogeneration, i.e., the simultaneous production of electricity and heat. Additionally, new rules for calculating the return on capital for heating companies are planned.

Facilitations for the industrial sector

For heat supplied directly for technological processes, companies will be exempt from the obligation to apply tariffs approved by the regulator.

In certain situations, the obligation to obtain a licence for heat generation will also be reduced. These changes may shorten some procedures related to preparing new investments and launching energy sources for industrial needs.

Fewer administrative obligations

UDER92 assumes a reduction of selected administrative and reporting obligations for companies operating in the energy market.

The aim of the changes is to simplify selected procedures and reduce the number of formalities related to conducting business activity in the energy sector.

Regulations concerning gas storage

The draft provides for extending the possibility of maintaining mandatory natural gas reserves by the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves. The so‑called ticketing service will also be maintained, enabling energy companies to meet storage obligations using resources held by the Agency.

According to information presented with the draft, the Agency currently accounts for nearly 70% of national mandatory gas reserves, and the gas stored by it occupies more than one quarter of the capacity of domestic storage facilities.

Changes for consumers and companies

The UDER92 Act includes both solutions directly affecting energy consumers and regulations related to business operations and investments in the sector.

For customers, the most visible changes may include the new layout of bills, the defined deadline for meter installation, and the development of electronic communication. The remaining solutions focus mainly on district heating, the industrial sector, reducing formalities, and maintaining the mandatory gas storage system.

The Act has already been signed by the President, and most of its provisions entered into force on 7 July 2026.