ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market: suppliers offer sign-up rebates more often to consumers that switch

The number of energy suppliers that offer consumers sign-up rebates when they switch to a new contract for natural gas and/or electricity has risen tremendously over the past 12 months. This is one of the conclusions of the Monitor on the consumer energy market of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). Two years ago, 12 suppliers offered rebates to new or existing customers (12 percent of all offerings), and this has now risen to 20 suppliers and 41 percent of all offerings. Sign-up rebates can make switching to another supplier financially more appealing, but also make it harder for consumers to compare contracts. In 2026, ACM conducts a market investigation into the comparability of energy contracts.

The prices that households need to pay for their supply of electricity went down six percent last month. The prices for the supply of natural gas more or less remained the same. In December, the natural-gas price on the wholesale markets remained stable at approximately 28 euros per MWh. That is virtually the same price level as before the energy crisis of five years ago, taking into account inflation. In recent days, the natural-gas price went up again to 35 euros per MWh, due to the current geopolitical situation, among other reasons.

The filling rate of the Dutch natural-gas storages went down from 65 percent in early December to 39 percent by mid-January. Even though that is lower than in previous years, it does not immediately pose a risk for the security of supply, since significant quantities of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are imported. In 2025, the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the Netherlands reached record levels, approximately 75 percent of which came from the US. A steady supply of LNG is critical for the security of the gas supply in Europe.

Consumer prices

Many consumers pro-actively take a critical look at their energy contracts. The number of fixed contracts is going up at the expense of variable contracts, while the number of dynamic contracts is slightly rising. Switching to a contract that better suits your energy needs can pay off. Households are able to choose between different types of contracts. With fixed contracts, prices are fixed for a pre-determined period. For three-year fixed contracts, prices are currently around 0.24 euros per kWh for electricity, and 1.20 euros per m³ of natural gas. With variable contracts, suppliers are able to adjust their prices multiple times per year: these are currently, on average, slightly higher at 0.27 euros and 1.29 euros respectively. Households with dynamic contracts pay the current market price, which can vary every quarter of an hour (for electricity) or every day (for natural gas). They immediately benefit from lower prices on the wholesale market, but, at the same time, they also face more risk if prices go up unexpectedly.

Consumers can also opt for a model contract. This is a contract that every energy supplier is statutorily required to offer. ACM sees that, as of 1 January 2026, suppliers have lowered the prices of their model contracts to approximately 0.28 euros per kWh for electricity and 1.31 euros per m³ of natural gas. However, the standing charge in particular is still significantly higher compared with other variable contracts, because feed-in costs cannot be charged in the old model contract. New model contracts have become available since January 1 due to the Dutch Energy Act. In the new variable model contracts, suppliers are allowed to adjust their prices four times a year. In addition, new model contracts with fixed rates for one year have also been introduced. In these new model contracts, suppliers are allowed to charge feed-in costs to households with solar panels . It is expected that this will result in a lower standing charge in model contracts for electricity. ACM will monitor developments in the coming months.

Significantly higher rates

ACM keeps a close watch on the prices of energy suppliers. In that context, ACM looks at, among other aspects, the price differences between suppliers as well as at the reasons behind those price differences. ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market reveals that the prices of the below contracts for households this month are significantly higher than comparable contracts from other suppliers.
 

ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market also reveals that several suppliers charge significantly higher prices for their model contracts. This is the case with Tibber, Innova, Zonneplan, PZEM, and Noord Energie. A model contract is a standard contract that every energy supplier is statutorily required to offer, even suppliers that wish to offer dynamic contracts only. The fact that prices of these model contracts are significantly higher says nothing about the prices of other contracts offered by these suppliers.