Word has gotten around that gas is becoming more expensive, but the discounts could rise even further. Because the state is now allowing the utility Uniper to pass on the increased prices. This means that private households are also faced with rising costs.
The federal government is starting the second phase of support for gas importers and allowing the rapidly rising prices to be passed on quickly to households and industry. Despite existing and long-term contracts, they have to be prepared for an extra levy in winter, according to government circles. The levy should take effect from October, but its amount is still unclear due to the fluctuating gas prices. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz had spoken of up to 300 euros per year for a four-person household in addition to the tariffs, which were already increasing. With extremely rising import prices, it could also be up to 1000 euros.
Economics Minister Robert Habeck expects that the gas levy will cost consumers several hundred euros per household. It will be in the range of 1.5 to 5 cents per kilowatt hour, said the Green politician. In an average four-person household with a consumption of 20,000 kilowatt hours per year, you end up in the mid-hundred euro range.
The background is that importers like Uniper have to buy the failed deliveries to Russia at short notice and at high cost on the market. Because of the existing contracts with customers, however, they are not yet allowed to pass them on. This has put Uniper in particular in existential difficulties. The state has therefore put together an aid package worth billions and is getting involved with 30 percent. However, this cannot protect against the daily losses in the long term. That’s where the levy comes from, as Scholz already announced. In view of the tense situation on the gas market, this is necessary in order to maintain the gas supply in the coming winter. “Without them, gas supply companies would be at risk throughout the supply chain,” the ministry said.
90 percent of the extra costs of the importers can be passed on – with an equal amount per kilowatt hour for everyone regardless of where they signed their contract. In a third step, relief for needy households, for example through a housing benefit reform, is also planned. Many can no longer cope with the rise in prices and the levy. Overall, gas costs are roughly expected to triple compared to 2021. As a relief measure, it is already planned to pay out 300 euros to all employed persons, probably in September. In July, 100 euros were already paid for each child.
From a technical point of view, according to government circles, paragraph 26 of the Energy Security Act is now being put into effect by ordinance, which allows disclosure. From October, the difference between the current tariffs and the extra costs of the importers can then be estimated for a period up to the end of March 2024 and apportioned to the kilowatt hours. In retrospect, however, there should be an exact calculation.
To do this, the necessary quantity of replacement procurement and its price must be determined for the specified 90 percent. Customer payments that are already in progress are deducted. The difference then results in the total contribution, which is then distributed evenly. A first calculation is to be published in August. Public utilities, as customers of the large gas importers, can then pass them on to industry and households. Irrespective of the surcharge, strong price increases must be expected anyway when contracts expire or are regularly adjusted.
