For the average household looking for a new energy contract, there is a difference of several hundred euros between suppliers on an annual basis. “This is worryingly high,” says ACM’s Martijn Snoep.
The authority therefore came up with this monitor to help consumers make a better choice. “It’s a good start in finding a new contract,” says Snoep, “because it shows that there are certainly options for consumers.” And who would doubt it: it is again possible to conclude new contracts. “Even if they are much more expensive than a year and a half ago.”
Looking for reasonable explanations
At a later stage, ACM will also investigate where these large price differences come from. Because according to Snoep, there doesn’t seem to be a logical explanation for this at first glance. The authority announced an investigation into the three largest energy suppliers. These are Essent, Eneco and Vattenfall.
In its own words, ACM chose the top three because it is impossible to survey all sixty energy suppliers in the Netherlands. “We will talk to them to see if there are any reasonable explanations for these large price differences.”