This latest reduction in tariffs - the second so far this year - is to be enjoyed by all 1.4 million gas consumers because of the reduction of the cost to suppliers of using the gas transportation network, which is determined by the regulator.

Access tariffs are paid by retail suppliers, who pass them on to final consumers in their bills. That means that any changes are felt by all consumers, whether they are in the regulated or liberalised market.

Overall, from July, the cumulative drop in tariffs will be 18.5% for households, 21.1% for business users and 28.4% for industrial consumers.

On 1 May, gas tariffs had already fallen: by 6.1% for consumers supplied with gas at low pressure and with consumption under 10.000 cubic metres of gas a year, 7.5% for low-pressure users with consumption of over 10.000 cubic metres and 10.2% for industrial consumers supplied at medium pressure. The cuts in tariffs were lined to the drop in oil prices on international markets.

The new gas tariffs, which were proposed by the regulator in April and which have been rubber stamped by its tariff council, are to be in effect until 30 June of next year.