Since October 1st, gas procurement has been cheaper for gas suppliers. Minister Lemke would like this relief to also reach customers.
Federal Consumer Minister Steffi Lemke has called on gas suppliers to pass on the relief from the abolition of gas levies directly to customers. “Even if natural gas prices for consumers no longer reach the peak values of the crisis year of 2022, they will still remain at a high long-term level,” the Green politician told the German Press Agency. “With the elimination of two surcharges, the procurement of gas will now be cheaper for gas suppliers.”
The utility companies are required to pass this relief directly on to customers. “This can significantly reduce energy costs, especially for low-income households,” said Lemke. “Consumers should not have to wait until the next price calculation to pass on information.”
Since October 1st, two surcharges that make up part of the gas price for household customers have been eliminated for gas suppliers. The utility companies must pass on such levies to the company THE, which is responsible for the German gas market area. The utilities usually pass these costs on to their end customers. So far, the so-called control energy levy has been charged at 0.57 cents per kilowatt hour. The so-called conversion levy was charged at 0.038 cents per kilowatt hour. Both will now be reduced to zero cents each for an initial year. With an annual consumption of 20,000 kilowatt hours, this results in a total of 121.60 euros.
However, it is still unclear what effect the suppliers will ultimately have on consumers. “The suppliers do not have to pass this change on to customers immediately, but only during the next price calculation,” said a spokeswoman for the Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industry (BDEW).
Source: Stern
