The introduction of the gas price brake in Germany in 2023, which limits the price for 80 percent of forecast gas consumption to 12 cents per kilowatt hour, is leading to confusion and dissatisfaction among many consumers.
The calculation is based on the previous year's consumption, and surprisingly low forecasts have resulted in higher costs for the remaining 20 percent of consumption. Critics complain that the reference month of September is inadequate, as the main heating months are from October to March. If anything is unclear, consumers are recommended to contact the Energy Arbitration Board in Berlin or the Federal Network Agency. In view of the new laws on gas and electricity price caps, there could be warning proceedings from the consumer advice center and possible lawsuits from individual consumers.
Gas price brake – if consumption is calculated small | Market check SWR
With the gas price brake, the price for 80 percent of forecast consumption is capped. Bad surprise when the forecast is set much lower.
GAS PRICE BRAKE 2023
Since this year, the gas price brake has come into play when calculating gas prices: the price for 80 percent of forecast consumption is capped at 12 cents per kilowatt hour. For the remaining 20 percent and beyond of energy consumed, the provider's price applies. The forecast consumption is calculated by the network operators based on the previous year's data and transmitted to consumers.
CALCULATION OF THE GAS PRICE CAP OVER THE REFERENCE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
The Baden-Württemberg consumer advice center has been receiving a lot of questions since the energy suppliers sent out their consumption forecasts. For gas, the forecast consumption figures are based on September of last year, but the heating months are more likely in the winter from October to March. The reference month of September 2022 is therefore a clear disadvantage for the consumer, as the subsidy is less high.
LOW FORECASTS: WILL CONSUMPTION BE CALCULATED SMALL?
The gas consumption figures that consumers receive from energy suppliers and network operators continually diverge. Such deviations are becoming more and more common at the Energy Consumers' Association. However, the values of the network operator are binding because they have the meter. Utilities cannot simply insist on the values they determine. The law states that what is important for the respective gas, electricity or district heating brake is the forecast consumption in September 2022, not the annual statement or values from other previous years.
CONSUMER TIPS FOR DIFFERENT FIGURES
Unfortunately, consumers usually have to submit to the network operators. The Association of Energy Consumers recommends involving the Energy Arbitration Board in Berlin or the Federal Network Agency if anything is unclear. The consumer advice center is considering initiating warning procedures if forecasts are incorrect. It is still difficult to estimate whether individual consumers should also sue. The laws regulating gas and electricity prices are still too new.
Source: Marktcheck SWR
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