Hundreds of increases that were already decided around the turn of the year are therefore unlawful. In the event of a dispute, the supplier would have to prove to the Federal Cartel Office that the share prices justify the increase, the newspaper reports, citing a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs.
As long as the supplier is unable to do so, the increase will remain prohibited. The background is the claim for compensation that arises for gas suppliers from the energy price brakes imposed by the government against the state.
Referring to figures from the consumer portal Check24, “Bild” reports that huge price increases will take place on January 1: 457 gas suppliers are planning an average increase of 56 percent, which would affect 3.6 million households. 636 electricity suppliers planned increases of an average of 60 percent for 7.5 million households.
“Consumers may withhold payment of the increase,” Leonora Holling, head of the Federation of Energy Consumers, told the newspaper. The planned increases are disproportionate to the price development on the stock exchange. “We advise consumers to object.”
(SDA)