DTe Publishes Green Electricity Lists

The Office of Energy Regulation (DTe) today published lists of the average prices which suppliers charged consumers of green electricity in the third and fourth quarters. The regulator, which monitors price trends on the energy market closely, publishes the lists to make the green electricity market more transparent so that consumers are in a better position to make a well-considered choice for a supplier of green electricity. DTe advises customers to always contact various energy suppliers to obtain their current tariffs, so that they can compare the suppliers' tariffs.

The lists rank the suppliers from cheap to expensive. The lists published by DTe are based on:

• the annual consumption of consumers (this consumption is stated in the annual statement)
• the price which the supplier charges for green electricity
• the duration of the contract.

In addition, the lists contain data on the way in which electricity is generated and provide information on whether the tariffs charged are fixed for a certain period or variable. DTe is of the opinion that energy suppliers must provide insight into these matters so that consumers are in a better position to make a well-considered choice for a supplier of green electricity.

'Sufficient and correct information must be available on the energy market so that consumers can determine where they wish to purchase and at what price,' according to Gert Zijl, Director of DTe. 'A well-informed consumer is the driving force behind effective competition. We are therefore not deaf to reports that incorrect, outdated or incomplete data are used on sites which compare products and services and DTe has started an investigation into the quality of the information provided on the sites.' The results of this investigation are expected at the beginning of 2005.

DTe decided to publish the lists partly because the government will withdraw the Energy Tax Rebate as of 1 January 2005. This rebate, which results in cheaper green electricity, was intended to make green electricity attractive to consumers. The termination of the discount has the effect of increasing prices. DTe therefore also gives an indication in the lists of the consequences of the termination of the Energy Tax Rebate on green electricity tariffs, that is whether the tariff will increase, remain the same or decrease.

The lists are obtainable (in Dutch) as of today.