Despite a significant increase in the EEG levy, Stadtwerke Gießen is able to keep electricity prices stable - primarily thanks to its purchasing strategy and the associated favourable procurement conditions. Natural gas and heating prices also remain constant.
For around a year now, around 50 per cent of the electricity price has been made up of legally regulated levies, charges and taxes - around 20 per cent of which is the levy under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). As of 1 January 2014, this levy for the promotion of renewable plants will increase again, from the current net figure of 5.277 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 6.24 cents per kWh. An increase of 18 per cent. The levy under the Combined Heat and Power Act is also increasing and will amount to a net 0.178 cents per kWh in the coming year instead of the previous net 0.052 cents per kWh. The levy for disconnectable loads is completely new, but only set at 0.009 cents per kWh net. This is used by households to finance the compensation payment to large consumers who take loads off the grid in an emergency - for example, if a blackout is imminent.
In contrast, the surcharge under Section 19 of the Electricity Grid Charges Ordinance has fallen significantly. It was introduced by the legislator to reduce the burden on companies in terms of grid fees. Currently still at 0.329 cents per kWh net, it will fall to 0.092 cents per kWh net. "Despite the further significant increase in the EEG levy, our current electricity prices will continue to apply after 1 January 2014," assures Manfred Siekmann, Member of the Board of Stadtwerke Gießen.
Favourable conditions for electricity purchases
Thanks to the purchasing strategy and favourable conditions on the electricity exchange, SWG is able to cushion the surcharge in terms of levies. "The favourable procurement costs are included in the pricing. We therefore pass them on to consumers," explains SWG CEO Reinhard Paul.
Although purchasing conditions on the natural gas market have not improved, they have remained at roughly the same level over the past weeks and months. Manfred Siekmann and Reinhard Paul have therefore announced the following for SWG's natural gas and district heating prices: "Our customers can also expect stable prices for natural gas and heating until the end of 2014."
15.11.2013