The new regulatory provision on the protected market in the power supply sector is approved by the Council of Ministers. "The decision is in line with the commitments made as part of the third installment of the PNRR, and was necessary to ensure a gradual and informed transition to the free market," according to a press release issued by Palazzo Chigi. "Approximately four and a half million 'vulnerable' households will continue to benefit from controlled-price electricity supplies as a result of market liberalization provided for by Law No. 124 of 2017 and the objectives of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) envisaged in 2021 as a condition for payment of the third installment. For the remaining households, which account for approximately four and a half million users, measures are being implemented to ensure maximum information and the best conditions in the transition to the free electricity market, which already affects approximately 21 million households," the note continues. This is established by the provisions included in the energy decree, approved by the Council of Ministers yesterday, and aimed at regulating the gradual transition to the free market of the nine million domestic users who still benefit from the protected market, while strengthening the tools aimed at preventing unjustified price increases and possible changes in electricity supply conditions.