A rise in the number of overdue electricity bill payments, despite the government’s subsidy support and cash returns, received by consumers through a power pass plan, is increasing the pressure felt by suppliers in the retail electricity market.

According to a study conducted by consumer support group Ekpoizo, 17.6 percent of respondents have faced threats by suppliers for power cuts over the past three months, while 3.1 percent had their electricity cut.

The study showed that 92.3 percent of respondents declared being dissatisfied with the level of cash returns they have received through the government’s power pass plan.

One in two consumers received up to 50 euros through the power pass plan, while just 8.1 percent received a sum of between 301 and 600 euros, according to the Ekpoizo study.

Also, the overwhelming majority of respondents, an 89.9 percent share, want a wholesale price adjustment clause included in electricity bills to be abolished.

A considerable percentage of respondents, 42.7 percent, expressed support for further renewable energy utilization. Just 14.5 percent of respondents considered the government’s electricity subsidies effective.