A current study by the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) shows: In extreme cases, electricity and gas customers who fall under the local basic or backup supply currently pay thousands of euros more for energy than existing customers.
Basic suppliers introduce expensive tariffs for new customers
According to an analysis by vzbv, some basic electricity and gas suppliers in 14 of Germany’s most populous cities have sharply increased their prices for new customers. When it comes to electricity, the basic suppliers have introduced a separate tariff for new customers in five of the cities examined – in Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Leipzig, Dortmund and Dresden. With an annual power consumption of 3,500 kilowatt hours, this means additional costs of over 1,600 euros compared to existing customers.
When it comes to gas supply, the basic suppliers in seven major cities – in Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Leipzig, Dortmund, Essen and Dresden – have also introduced a separate tariff for new customers at significantly more expensive conditions. With an annual gas consumption of 20,000 kilowatt hours, this results in additional costs of up to 3,800 euros.
Consumer advocates are calling for political intervention
In view of the latest developments on the energy markets, the vzbv is calling on the federal government to take action. You must make it clear that in the basic service only one tariff may apply to all customers. In addition, the costs of the replacement supply should correspond to those of the basic supply.
“Different tariffs in the basic service would have a negative effect on consumers’ willingness to switch. And that would not be in the spirit of a liberalized energy market,” says Thomas Engelke, team leader for energy and construction at vzbv.
In addition, Engelke calls for “measures that quickly relieve people’s wallets. For example, climate money should be introduced at short notice, electricity prices for private households should be reduced and tenants should be relieved of the CO2 price.” And: “Immediate measures such as suspending electricity and gas cuts are absolutely necessary to help low-income households in this crisis.”
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Björn Katz, editor of StromAuskunft.de
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