ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market: suppliers must inform customers properly about important changes in 2027

On 1 January 2027, new regulations will come into effect that will have consequences for the prices and conditions of energy contracts. Since it is possible already right now to take out new energy contracts that extend beyond 1 January 2027, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has decided to call attention to these new regulations.

On 1 January 2027, the statutory net-metering scheme will end. After that date, suppliers no longer need to substract feed-in solar power from energy consumptions, but, instead, households will receive compensations for feed-in power. In addition, energy suppliers need to start paying for the CO2 emissions of natural gas, and they may be required to blend in a certain percentage of green gas. These last two changes create extra costs for suppliers. Suppliers may choose to pass on these costs (fully or partially) to their consumers. That is why energy suppliers that offer long-term contracts that extend beyond 1 January 2027 need to explain properly already now to their customers, when taking out new contracts, what the new regulations will mean for their contracts. ACM has pointed this out to suppliers before already.

Some suppliers have already laid down in their long-term contracts how they will deal with the new rules. These suppliers do not need to change their conditions and prices when the new rules come into effect. In these contracts, you can already see what the prices will be after 1 January 2027. These contracts will continue to be valid after 1 January 2027, which means you cannot cancel these fixed contracts free of charge just like that.

There are also suppliers that do offer long-term contracts, but that have not yet laid down in their contracts how they will deal with the new rules. These suppliers will wish to change these contracts when the new rules come into effect. Suppliers are not allowed to change the prices and conditions of current fixed contracts just like that. Changes are only allowed if this has been laid down in the conditions in a clear and easy-to-understand manner, and if the changes have been announced at least one month in advance so that customers are able to cancel their contracts before the changes come into effect. Under the new Dutch Energy Act (in Dutch: Energiewet), which will come into effect on 1 January 2026, customers are able to cancel their contracts free of charge if suppliers change their prices.

This month’s market trends and developments

ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market reveals that the rates for variable and fixed energy contracts have remained relatively stable this past month. On the wholesale market, the natural-gas price remained stable at 32 euros per megawatt hour. ACM’s Monitor on wholesale prices and the security of supply of natural gas also shows that the natural-gas storages have been filled further this past month, going from 66 percent to 71 percent. In addition, a lot of liquefied natural gas (LNG) was imported in September too. Well-filled gas storages and a stable supply of LNG are important for being able to meet higher demand for natural gas for heating in the winter 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 ANWB Energie, EnergyZero, Hallostroom, Slim met Energie, Easyenergy, Innova, Kikker Energie, Tibber, and Clean Energy. A model contract is a standard contract with a variable price that can typically be adjusted on January 1 and July 1. Every energy supplier is statutorily required to offer such a model contract, 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.