Transparency - Consumer advice center calls for Thuringian energy price atlas
The Thuringian Consumer Center calls for more transparency in energy prices. According to Ramona Ballod, responsible referatsleiterin at the Consumer Center in Erfurt, it is currently difficult to impossible for customers to get an overview, as reported by the German Press Agency. Therefore, a Thuringian Energy Price Atlas is necessary, which displays prices for heating, electricity and gas in an up-to-date and easily understandable manner on a publicly accessible internet site.
Price differences and monopoly positions
Consumers could also gain an overview of where expensive energy suppliers are located, Ballod said. Among the Thuringian basic suppliers, there are significant price differences. In some regions, energy prices in the past were even twice as high as in other areas in the state. Anyone in Thuringia who receives heating, is also facing monopoly providers with high and opaque prices. Thuringian electricity prices were among the highest in all of Germany.
"Transparency also ensures fairness in pricing," Ballod emphasized. In addition, an overview of the price level can help with political decisions and provide hints to the supervisory authority to react more quickly. Another demand is for the strengthening of the Thuringian State Cartel Office to correct market developments in the energy sector.
Energy crisis leads to increased consulting needs
Problems with electricity and gas contracts have been a constant issue in consultation at the Consumer Center since the energy crisis in 2022, according to the Consumer Center. In the first months of this year, there were 20 percent more consultation requests on energy law throughout Thuringia. Many people had difficulties understanding the complex details of their contracts, it was stated.
To cope with the sudden increase in consultation requests, the Consumer Center reacted with the creation of a new energy law project. This was funded from the Thuringian Special Fund for Coping with the Energy Crisis and allowed the hiring of two energy lawyers. However, the project runs out at the end of 2024. The Consumer Center wants to continue this consulting offer. This requires additional funds for the institutional budget of the Consumer Center, it was stated.
The Consumer Center has twelve consultation offices in Thuringia.
- The German Press Agency reported on the Consumer Advice Center's call for more transparency in energy prices in Thuringia, as emphasized by Ramona Ballod, the responsible referatsleiterin.
- Ballod suggested that a Thuringian Energy Price Atlas is necessary to provide consumers with an up-to-date and easily understandable overview of energy prices for heating, electricity, and gas in various regions.
- Ballod further noted that among Thuringian basic suppliers, there are significant price differences, with energy prices in some regions being twice as high as in others, resulting in monopoly providers with high and opaque prices.
- The Consumer Advice Center in Erfurt, Thuringia, has seen a 20% increase in energy law consultation requests since the energy crisis in 2022 due to complexity in energy contracts, and aims to continue this service with additional funding for their institutional budget.
