The EEG surcharge will be suspended from July. This should relieve households of electricity costs. Utilities must pass on the reduction in full. Should consumption be documented on the reference date so that everything is correct when billing?
The EEG surcharge fell to 4.43 cents per kWh (gross) on January 1st. Now, after 20 years, it will be abolished completely – for a limited period until December 31, 2022. In order to relieve households of the increased electricity costs or to dampen the sharp rise somewhat and to ensure more stable electricity prices. But high procurement costs have already pushed up electricity prices by 30 percent year-on-year – more than the coming relief will account for.
According to the comparison portal Verivox, this results in savings of around 177 euros (gross) for a three-person household with an annual consumption of 4000 kWh. A single household with an annual consumption of 1500 kWh saves around 66 euros (gross), larger households with an annual consumption of 6000 kWh around 266 euros (gross). Existing customers will benefit in the short term, but in the medium to long term the levy stop will at best have a dampening effect on price development.
The electricity providers must pass on the reduction in full to the end consumer. For private households, however, the monthly deductions will initially not change. The price reduction will only be offset against the next annual bill. Does it therefore make sense to document the consumption on the key date so that everything is correct when billing?
According to the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center, this is not necessary for households with household electricity, because the electricity consumption is distributed very evenly over the year. An estimate of the electricity consumption by the electricity provider in the middle of the year is therefore sufficient.
On the other hand, consumers who heat with electricity and have a heat pump or night storage heater should take an intermediate reading. Their power consumption is unevenly distributed over the year due to the heating period, and can also vary from year to year due to the weather. Households should therefore on 30.6. read the intermediate meter reading and inform your electricity provider of the value.
Electricity providers do not have to inform households separately about the suspension of the EEG surcharge and the new prices. There is also no special right of termination, as is usual with price changes. However, the amount by which the electricity bill is reduced due to the elimination of the EEG surcharge must be shown transparently in the electricity bill.
This means that the EEG surcharge will be suspended for consumers.
