The number of low-voltage electricity consumers agreeing to switch from special green tariffs to variable yellow tariffs and fixed blue tariffs has increased since the country’s new tariff system was introduced January 1.

In the lead-up to the new tariff system’s launch, consumers had until December 31 to express specific tariff preferences or be automatically transferred, by their supplier, to the special green tariff on the changeover date.

Electricity suppliers have intensified their promotional efforts, mostly through call centers, in an effort to convince consumers to switch to either yellow or blue tariffs.

This overall activity has increased competition between suppliers, as had been intended by the energy ministry when it drew up the new tariff plan.

Some 20 percent of consumers have now switched to either yellow or blue tariffs.

Though yellow and green tariffs are both variable tariffs, the former represent a lesser risk for suppliers, as their levels are set at the end of each month.

On the contrary, suppliers set their green tariff levels at the beginning of each month, and, as a result, gamble on wholesale electricity price levels for the month ahead.