The average prices in North Rhine-Westphalia are 15.04 cents/kWh for gas and 42.45 cents/kWh for electricity. However, there are significant differences depending on the tariff. In order to get a complete overview of the price level in NRW, the NRW consumer advice center examined all current basic supply tariffs for electricity and gas as of October 1, 2022 and found large price differences.

Basic supplies: A price overview

New customers currently pay between 6.94 cents and 32.20 cents per kilowatt hour of gas, including the prorated basic price. For electricity, the price range is between 27.14 and 79.48 cents per kilowatt hour. The large price differences in basic services astonish consumer advocates.

“Such a wide price range raises questions. Energy suppliers have different procurement strategies, which can explain certain price differences. But such enormous differences are still surprising.”

Udo Sieverding, head of the energy department at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center

An example household that uses 20,000 kilowatt hours of gas will receive an annual bill of at least 1,388 to a maximum of 6,440 euros, depending on the basic provider. The annual costs for electricity vary between 814 and a maximum of 2,384 euros with an annual consumption of 3,000 kWh.

Gas prices in NRW in the basic supply, graphic: Consumer advice center for North Rhine-Westphalia
Gas prices in NRW in the basic supply, graphic: Consumer advice center for North Rhine-Westphalia

Often the most attractive offer on the market

What has changed in the last few months: Anyone who signs a new contract usually pays more for special tariffs than for a basic service tariff. In the past it was usually the other way round and customers paid more for the basic tariff than for special tariffs.

“Switching from an expensive special tariff to basic care can therefore make sense in many cases,” says Sieverding. “Especially since, according to the new legal situation, prices in basic services can no longer be differentiated between existing and new customers.”

Udo Sieverding, head of the energy department at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center

The prices for the currently available special tariffs, which can be found on common comparison portals, start at around 39 cents per kilowatt hour for gas. For electricity, prices start at around 70 cents per kilowatt hour.

“In many cases, you can save significantly with the basic supply tariff.”

Udo Sieverding, head of the energy department at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center

 

Electricity prices in NRW in the basic supply, graphic: Consumer advice center for North Rhine-Westphalia
Electricity prices in NRW in the basic supply, graphic: Consumer advice center for North Rhine-Westphalia

Beware of expensive replacement care 

However, the consumer advice center is receiving increasing complaints that energy providers are refusing immediate delivery of the basic supply and initially want to supply the replacement supply at higher prices for three months.

“Consumers will then have to remain persistent. Replacement supply is only permitted in very specific cases, for example if the original energy supplier unexpectedly fails, which can happen in the event of insolvency, or if a change of provider fails unnoticed. In addition, the prices of basic service tariffs are sometimes difficult to find, even though there is an obligation to publish these tariffs on the Internet.” 

Udo Sieverding, head of the energy department at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center

Switch to primary care

Anyone who wants to switch to basic care must terminate their existing contract in good time and conclude a contract with their local basic provider. This can also be done by extracting energy. This is then referred to as an “implied” conclusion of contract. The basic supplier is always the company that supplies the most electricity or gas customers in the respective network area. This is often a municipal utility or a large energy provider. You can find out who is the basic electricity or gas supplier in your own municipality using a comparison portal, for example, by entering your zip code. It is not possible to switch to the basic service tariff outside of your own basic service area. 

Further information and links can be found in the overall evaluation from the consumer advice center. All results can be read in detail here.

Source: North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center

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