ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market: many consumers switched to fixed contracts after the start of the war
Summary
- After the the war in Iran had broken out, 110,000 households in March switched to fixed energy contracts, which is five times more than usual.
- Sustainability and energy-saving measures make households and companies more resilient to price shocks caused by geopolitical developments.
- Rates for fixed contracts fell this month, but are still higher than pre-war levels.
The rising energy prices caused by the war in Iran have led to many consumers taking a critical look at their energy contracts. Right after the war had broken out, remarkably many households switched to fixed contracts. This has been one of the conclusions of the Monitor on the consumer energy market of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). Whereas the number of households with a fixed contract grew by a net total of approximately 20,000 households per month last year, it was a staggering 110,000 in March.
This switch did not come at the expense of the number of customers with dynamic contracts. That number rose by 17,000 in the same month, in line with the growth that ACM has been seeing for some time now. The switch to fixed contracts is therefore almost entirely driven by consumers who previously had variable contracts.
Previously, ACM advised consumers to consider what type of contract best suits their personal situation due to the uncertain international developments. ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market shows that many consumers took this advice to heart. What contract is best depends on personal circumstances and preferences. ACM recommends consumers always to make an assessment themselves on the basis of a thorough comparison of different types of contracts and suppliers.
The energy transition is the best protection against price shocks caused by geopolitical developments
The Netherlands relies on foreign natural gas for approximately two-thirds of its total consumption. International developments, such as the war in Iran, thus have a direct major impact on what consumers and businesses pay for energy. By reducing their dependence on natural gas, for example by saving energy or switching to electricity, households and businesses become more resilient to price shocks. The increasing natural-gas prices are an incentive to become more sustainable: there are indications that the interest in measures such as heat pumps and electric vehicles has gone up over the past month.
The Monitor also reveals that rising natural-gas prices still lead to higher electricity prices, although this relationship is weakening due to the growing share of renewable energy. The moments when cheap solar and wind energy is sufficient to meet demand are becoming more and more frequent. This leads to lower electricity prices. Sometimes, electricity prices are even negative. Households with dynamic contracts are able to benefit from this by shifting their consumption to these cheaper periods.
Manon Leijten, Member of the Board of ACM, explains: “The recent geopolitical tensions have made it painfully clear how vulnerable we are because of our dependence on foreign natural gas. The energy transition is the best way to protect the pocketbooks of consumers and businesses. The more we invest in energy-saving measures and renewable energy, the less we’ll be affected by price shocks. We already see that electricity prices are significantly lower during periods with a lot of sunshine and wind.”
Wide selection of contracts
The Monitor shows that consumers still enjoy a wide selection of contracts, with nearly 30 suppliers offering fixed contracts and over 30 suppliers offering variable or dynamic contracts. A total of 52 energy suppliers in the Netherlands have a license to supply natural gas and/or electricity to households and other users with small connections.
The Dutch Energy Act stipulates that suppliers must always offer two types of model contracts: a model contract with variable rates and a model contract with fixed rates for one year. In December 2025, ACM set new model contracts, and gave suppliers three months to implement them. Checks revealed that not all suppliers complied with this requirement on April 1, 2026. ACM confronted these seventeen suppliers with these findings. At the moment, all suppliers with a license offer the mandatory model contracts.
Natural-gas storages
The natural-gas storages are gradually being filled. At the start of the filling season on April 1, the filling rate was approximately 4.5 percent, while it is currently at around eleven percent. This is lower than a year ago, when the filling rate was approximately 29 percent. Under European legislation, the Netherlands is required to have natural-gas storages filled for at least 74 percent between October 1 and December 1.
Europe must compete on price with Asia for the supply of LNG. Natural-gas prices in Asian countries are currently higher than in Europe, as a result of which LNG tankers could be tempted to supply Asia rather than Europe. Despite this, the supply of LNG to the Netherlands is stable. In April, import levels were in line with previous years. The price difference between natural gas for summer delivery and winter delivery shows that it is currently not profitable for companies to fill Dutch natural-gas storages.
Rates
This month, the rates for fixed contracts on offer have fallen by seven to ten percent compared with last month. This is consistent with the decreased wholesale prices. However, natural-gas prices are still nine to fourteen percent higher than where they were two months ago, right before the war. Rates for electricity are four to eight percent higher compared with that same time period.
Significantly higher rates
ACM keeps a close watch on the rates of energy suppliers and looks at, among other aspects, price differences between suppliers. The Monitor on the consumer energy market reveals that the prices of certain contracts this month are significantly higher than comparable contracts from other suppliers.
| Supplier | Contract type |
|---|---|
| VanHelder | Fixed natural gas for one year |
| Noord Energie | Fixed natural gas for one year |
| Ventum | Variable electricity |
| Energyhouse | Variable electricity |
| Kikker | Dynamic electricity |
| VanHelder | Dynamic electricity |
The Monitor also reveals that several suppliers charge significantly higher prices for their model contracts. This is the case with Tibber, EP Commodities, and OM | Nieuwe Energie. A model contract is a standard contract that every energy supplier is statutorily required to offer. The fact that prices of these model contracts are significantly higher says nothing about the prices of other contracts offered by these suppliers.