The focus of the Authority is on the networks of Ferrara (managed by Hera S.p.A.) and Como (managed by ComoCalor S.p.A.). On the other hand, no violations were found in the Parma and Piacenza networks, which are managed by Iren Energia S.p.A.

The Italian Competition Authority fined Hera S.p.A. for EUR 1,984,736 and ComoCalor S.p.A. for EUR 286,600 for charging excessively high prices in the district heating sector.

From May to June 2023, the Authority had initiated three proceedings regarding the networks of Ferrara (operated by Hera S.p.A.), Como (operated by ComoCalor S.p.A.), and Parma and Piacenza (operated by Iren Energia S.p.A.), in which a large part of the heat originates from sources other than natural gas (from waste combustion in Como, from waste combustion and geothermal energy in Ferrara).

The Authority intended to verify whether and to what extent the three companies had passed on an excessive and unfair burden to the users of district heating networks between 2021 and 2022, when an increase in natural gas prices had occurred. In particular, it aimed to understand whether Hera, ComoCalor, and Iren had intervened with adequate adjustments on the formulas to determine the heat price, based on the 'avoided cost' of gas heating.

At the end of complex preliminary investigations, the Authority found the application of unfair prices, in breach of Article 3, paragraph 1, letter a) of Law 287/90, in the Ferrara and Como networks in the year 2022 and imposed a fine of EUR 1,984,736 on Hera S.p.A. and EUR 286,600 on ComoCalor S.p.A.. The Authority determined that the companies have prevented consumers from benefitting from the use of renewable sources available at low costs to produce an essential good such as heat and have imposed unfair and excessive prices compared to the costs (including a fair return on the invested capital). On the other hand, the Authority found no violations of the same article of Law 287/90 in the Parma and Piacenza networks, managed by Iren.

Rome, 10 December 2024