The supply of last resort. What is it and what is it for?

The supply of last resort is a supplier function ensured by the state, where the supplier assigned by the state supplies electricity to those customers that failed to select an independent supplier on time or the independent supplier, they selected failed to execute its obligations, terminated its activities or the electricity purchase and sale contract. It is ensured by AB “Energijos skirstymo operatorius” (ESO). Therefore, the supply of last resort is a temporary measure for ensuring electricity supply until the customer selects an independent supplier. The customers who are ensured the supply of last resort are subjected to the price of the supply of last resort, which is calculated by applying the coefficient of 1.25 to the average electricity market price for the last reporting month in the Lithuanian prize zone. In other terms, the price of the supply of last resort equals to the market price times 1.25. State regulated electricity price components and fees are also added to the price of the supply of last resort. The legislation obligates to ensure the supply of last resort only for 6 months, and after that you will still have to select an independent supplier.

If you fall into the first stage of electricity market liberalisation (you consume at least 5,000 kWh/year or you are a customer connected to a medium-voltage network (excluding communities and socially vulnerable customers) and you did not conclude an independent supply contract/concluded the contract after 10 December 2020 (e.g., 11 December 2020 or later), you will be temporarily provided with the supply of last resort.

This rule will also apply in 2022 to customers that fall into stages II and III, which are formed depending on consumption thresholds.

The supply of last resort will be ensured to you temporarily – until you select an independent supplier, and the independent supplier starts supplying you electricity in accordance with the procedure set out in legal acts:

• if you select an independent supplier before the 10th day of the month (e.g., in the period between 11-12-2020 and 10-01-2021 (inclusive)) – the independent supply will be started from the 1st day of the next month (in this case, from 01-02-2021). In the period between 01-01-2021 and 31-01-2021 you will be ensured the supply of last resort;
• if you select an independent supplier after the 10th day of the month (e.g., 11-01-2021) – the independent supply will be started from the 1st day of the month after the next month (from 01-03-2021). In the period between 01-01-2021 and 28-02-2021 you will be ensured the supply of last resort.

You fell into the first stage of electricity market liberalisation, and you failed to select an independent supplier before 10 December 2020 (inclusive). Until you select an independent supplier, electricity will be temporarily supplied to you by the company assigned by the state – AB “Energijos skirstymo operatorius” (ESO).

Starting from 01-01-2021, electricity will be supplied to you under the conditions of the supply of last resort. AB “Energijos skirstymo operatorius” (ESO) will be providing the supply of last resort to you.

When you are ensured the supply of last resort, ESO will provide you a new Customer code, and you will declare the readings to and settle for services with ESO, and you will contact ESO regarding all supply-related issues. More information about the supply of last resort is available here. ESO is obligated to ensure you the supply of last resort for up to 6 months, therefore, even if you are ensured the supply of last resort service, you will still have to select an independent supplier.

If you wish to change the supplier you selected – you only need to conclude a contract with a new supplier.

If you terminate a contract with an independent supplier and you wish to conclude one with another, please note that a new independent supply contract concluded before the 18th day of the month, will enter into force from the 1st day of the next month. If you select a supplier after the 18th day of the month, the supplier will ensure electricity supply starting from the month after the next month. During the period when your independent supply contract is not in force, you will be ensured electricity via the supply of last resort.

After you start receiving the supply of last resort, the procedure for electricity consumption, declaration and settlement will change:

• the price of the supply of last resort will change each month (it is recalculated each time) – you will not be able to plan your expenses;
• one component of the supply of last resort (the price of the supply of last resort) is calculated by applying the coefficient of 1.25 to the average electricity market price for the last reporting month in the Lithuanian prize zone;
• a new Customer code is provided to you;
• you will have to declare to and settle for the amount of electricity consumed with ESO, i.e., the usual settlement process changes;
• it is important to note that ESO is obligated to provide the supply of last resort for only up to 6 months;
• if you fail to select an independent supplier during this period, ESO, after informing you about it in advance, may disconnect the electricity supply.

After the terms and conditions of the supply of last resort are no longer in force (i.e., after 6 months), ESO gas the right to disconnect electricity supply to the object after informing you about it in advance.

The contract will not be concluded because the supply of last resort will be ensured temporarily. Instead of a contract you will be subjected to the terms and conditions of the supply of last resort.

You can find the relevant information about the supply of last resort on the ESO’s website. You can also call and consult on the relevant issues using the free ESO customer service number 1852.

You fell into the first stage of electricity market liberalisation based on electricity consumption in your object. The customers in this stage had to conclude an independent supply contract by 10-12-2020 (inclusive). You had concluded an independent supply contract after this date, therefore, in accordance with the procedure set out in legal acts, you were temporarily ensured the supply of last resort. ESO will ensure you the supply of last resort until the independent supply is started. The beginning of the supply of last resort depends on when you have concluded the contract with Ignitis.

You will find all relevant information about the electricity usage and bill settlement during the transition period in the letter you receive.

If you are paying not only for the electricity used in your apartment but also for electricity used in a common stairway, cellar and other communal facilities, your contract with the public electricity supplier remains effective under the same Customer code. You can settle for electricity consumed in communal facilities each month by providing the Customer code: you will find the amount you have to pay indicated in the bills (issued by the house administrator or UAB “Ignitis”, depending on who do you settle the communal fees with), also, you can always make sure by logging in to e.ignitis.lt self-service or contacting Ignitis customer service.