In view of the increased energy prices, the Bundestag decides on price brakes for gas and electricity. This relieves both households and companies financially. This costs the federal government billions of euros.
The gas and electricity price brake can take effect from January. With the votes of the traffic light parliamentary groups, the Bundestag passed the billion-dollar legislative package that will relieve households and companies in the energy crisis. In return, some of the currently high revenues from energy producers are skimmed off in order to help finance the aid. At the same time, renewable energies are to be promoted more in order to promote expansion and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Corporations that receive help of over 50 million euros are not allowed to pay out any bonuses to managers or any dividends. In addition, they must guarantee the location in Germany and jobs. In the course of the Ukraine war and the stoppage of Russian gas deliveries, the prices for the fuel rose rapidly and have multiplied. Since the electricity price follows the gas price, the tariffs climbed here too.
Overall, the government has promised up to 200 billion euros for electricity and gas price brakes and the stabilization of suppliers by spring 2024. According to the project, households and businesses will be relieved with gas and electricity price brakes from January. The capping of the gas, district heating and electricity prices is not to be implemented until March, but then the months of February and January will be counted retrospectively.
The costs for 80 percent of the previous year’s consumption are limited to 12 cents per kilowatt hour for households and businesses. The higher market price applies to quantities consumed in excess of this. For electricity, the cap should be 40 cents. The price brakes are to apply until April 2024. For the approximately 25,000 large consumers in industry, a price of 7 cents for 70 percent of gas consumption and 13 cents for electricity will also apply from January.
Most recently, the traffic light parties had also decided on aid of up to 2000 euros for users of wood pellet and oil heating systems. After the Bundestag, the Bundesrat will deal with it on Friday. However, the law does not require approval, changes are therefore excluded.
