The National Single Price is the reference for wholesale electricity cost in Italy: how it is formed and why it matters.
The PUN (Prezzo Unico Nazionale, National Single Price) is the wholesale electricity reference price in Italy. It is determined daily on the Day-Ahead Market (MGP) managed by GME (Gestore dei Mercati Energetici).
How PUN is formed
The PUN is the weighted average of zonal prices resulting from the intersection of supply and demand on the MGP. Italy is divided into six market zones (North, Center-North, Center-South, South, Sicily, Sardinia), each with its own zonal price. The PUN unifies these prices on the demand side, ensuring all consumers pay the same base price.
PUN Evolution (2020-2024)
Why it matters
The PUN is the most widely used index in variable-price electricity contracts in Italy. When a contract states "PUN + spread," it means the price follows PUN trends plus a fixed supplier margin.
How to monitor it
In recent years, PUN has shown strong volatility, from about 50 EUR/MWh pre-2021 to peaks above 300 EUR/MWh during the 2022 energy crisis, before stabilizing at intermediate levels.
For businesses, monitoring PUN and its trends is essential for deciding when to lock in prices in supply contracts and for evaluating the competitiveness of received offers.
Informational content by IPGS Energy. Information is reviewed as of the stated update date and does not replace a contractual, tax or regulatory assessment specific to an individual business.