Energy supplier Kikker Energie solves financial problems following ACM intervention

Dutch energy supplier Kikker Energie B.V. has solved its financial problems so that it can continue to deliver natural gas and electricity to consumers and other small-scale users. Kikker Energie has done so after the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) had imposed a binding instruction on it. ACM will continue to keep a close watch on Kikker Energie to see whether it is able to continue to deliver natural gas and/or electricity in a reliable manner to consumers and other small-scale users.

All companies that wish to deliver natural gas and/or electricity to consumers and other small-scale users must have a license to do so from ACM. ACM checks whether suppliers are able to deliver energy in a reliable manner and whether companies meet the organizational, financial, and technical quality requirements. If an energy supplier does not meet these license requirements, ACM will take action against it.

ACM has placed Kikker Energie under heightened oversight since March 2024, after it had taken over the customers of former energy supplier DGB through reseller Volti. After these customers had been transferred, it turned out that many of these former DGB customers had fixed contracts with rates that were lower than the then purchase prices for electricity and natural gas. Kikker Energie thus made a loss on these contracts, and subsequently ran into financial problems.

In order to ensure that Kikker Energie would solve these financial problems as quickly as possible, ACM imposed a binding instruction on Kikker Energie. Kikker Energie has complied with this binding instruction by implementing cost-saving measures, securing additional funds, and by settling tax payments and rebates. As a result, its immediate financial problems have been solved. ACM will continue to monitor Kikker Energie’s financial situation. If it turns out that Kikker Energie’s financial position does remain in order in a durable manner, ACM will have to take further enforcement measures.