ACM energy monitors: natural-gas price went up slightly, record amount of LNG imported
Summary
- Over the past month, the price of natural gas on the wholesale market has gone up.
- Prices of fixed energy contracts for households were one to two percent higher than a month prior.
- ACM keeps a close watch on the prices of energy suppliers, and publishes each month an overview of all contracts with significantly higher prices.
Over the past month, the price of natural gas on the wholesale market has gone up from 32 euros per MWh to 35 euros per MWh. This increase is caused by the European Commission’s decision to end the import of Russian gas, and by maintenance works on plants in Norway. Over the past few days, the natural-gas price went up further to approximately 40 euros per MWh, as a result of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. At the same time, a record amount of liquefied natural gas (LNG) was imported into the Netherlands this month. These are some of the findings in the various energy monitors of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).
The filling rate of gas storages went up eleven percent, which is a positive development for the security of supply. The price difference between natural gas in the summer and winter periods (the spread) is positive, but, considering the costs, it is not yet large enough to have companies fill the gas storages of their own accord.
Electricity market
On the electricity market, there were many periods with negative prices this past month, sometimes with very low values. So far this year, there have been more hours with negative prices than there were last year. Households with dynamic contracts can directly see the fluctuations on the wholesale market on their energy bills. When prices are negative, they actually get money if they consume electricity during those periods.
Consumer prices
The Monitor on the consumer energy market revealed that the prices of variable contracts have remained stable, while the prices for new fixed contracts went up one to two percent compared with the previous month.
Significantly higher fees
ACM keeps a close watch on the prices of energy suppliers. ACM looks at, among other aspects, the price differences between suppliers and 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.
| Supplier | Contract type |
| Kikker Energie | Dynamic - electricity and natural gas |
| Kikker Energie | Variable - electricity |
| Kikker Energie | Fixed price – natural gas |
| Energyhouse | Variable - electricity |
| Powerpeers | Variable - electricity |
| Ventum | Variable - electricity |
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 Groenpand Energie, ANWB Energie, Clean Energy, Tibber, Open Source Energie, easyEnergy, Nieuwestroom, Zonneplan, HalloStroom and Energy Zero. A model contract is a standard contract with a variable price. Every energy supplier is statutorily required to offer such a model contract, even suppliers that wish to offer dynamic contracts only.