Due to unpaid invoices, around 330,000 households in Germany last year electricity was shut down. In addition, re were about 6.6 million blocking threats against defaulting payers. This comes from draft for monitoring of Federal Network agency and Federal Cartel Office. With its annual report, two institutions accompany developments on German electricity and gas market.

In year before, Cartel Office and Network agency counted a little over 331,000 power shutdowns on behalf of local basic utilities. So number stays high.

Current locks are possible as a last resort of providers if ir customers do not pay invoices of at least 100 euros despite several reminders and a blocking threat with last payment period. Not only in Germany, but also in or EU countries, many citizens are increasingly struggling to raise ir energy costs.

Sharp rise in electricity prices

The current barriers bring affected high additional costs: Customers have to pay not only accrued invoices, but also blocking and subsequent re-connection mselves. According to monitoring report, an average of 35 to 40 euro is in each case. However, individual providers demand substantially higher amounts of up to 200 euros each.

Consumer centres and social authorities report that affected customers often react too late if y are threatened with insolvency. Part of problem is also sharp rise in electricity prices. Since year 2000, y have doubled from 15 cents per kilowatt hour to around 30 cents for household customers – also due to additional burden of energy turnaround. The average real income was not nearly as strong in same period. In opinion of social associations, energy share in Hartz IV rule sets does not cover electricity requirements of a one-person household.

In addition, poor people are often stuck in expensive basic supply tariffs for ir electricity. In case of poor creditworthiness of customers, some providers do not conclude more favourable special contracts. Because y have no money, poor customers often cannot afford new, more efficient devices. Instead, y keep old ones that consume an above-average amount.

Date Of Update: 23 October 2017, 12:03