Consumer advice centers are calling for improvements in energy price caps - problems with suppliers demanding too high a discount

Consumer advice centers are calling for improvements in energy price caps - problems with suppliers demanding too high a discount

According to a report from www.tagesschau.de, more than 1,600 consumers have complained to consumer advice centers about excessive demands from energy suppliers. The consumer advice centers conducted a survey and found that half of the complaints can be traced back to the suppliers' excessive advance payments. A quarter of the complaints concerned incorrectly calculated annual consumption forecasts. The consumer advice centers are therefore calling on companies to correct their advance payment plans and forego increased advance payments. There were also problems when changing providers, as customers did not receive retroactive relief contributions for January and February. However, the Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industry (BDEW) emphasizes that these are isolated cases and that the implementation of the government-imposed price cap went smoothly for the majority of customers. The consumer advice centers are appealing to the federal government to revise the law and formulate it more clearly in order to ensure the desired relief for all consumers. The price brakes for gas, electricity and district heating have been in effect since March and the state caps the price for 80 percent of consumption. However, suppliers are now again offering contracts with tariffs below the upper limits of the price caps.

Consumer complaints about energy suppliers charging too much can have an impact on the market. If customers are not satisfied with the advance payment requirements, they could change their provider or opt for alternatives such as renewable energy or energy saving measures. This could increase competitive pressure on energy suppliers and force them to adjust their prices and services in order to retain customers. In addition, the complaints could lead to the federal government revising the energy price brake law and formulating it more clearly in order to ensure the desired relief for consumers.

The introduction of price caps for gas, electricity and district heating was aimed at reducing energy prices for consumers and relieving them. Although the price caps pose some problems, they have nevertheless provided some relief for many consumers. It remains to be seen how the federal government will respond to the complaints and demands from consumer advice centers and what further measures will be taken to ensure the desired relief for consumers.