“Purchase prices have risen so much that we have to pass on the costs sooner,” says Cindy Kroon, Customer Director at the Swedish group. Normally, energy suppliers change those rates on 1 January and 1 July respectively. “But the costs of the energy we purchase are rising so quickly that we have to pass on the costs earlier,” said Kroon.
Some other suppliers have preceded Vattenfall, others are likely to follow in the near future.
The price of gas and electricity had already risen sharply in recent quarters, the war in Ukraine has led to hoarding behavior with wholesale prices continuing to break through. Vattenfall is now partly continuing this. With an average gas consumption of 2250 kilowatt hours, costs increase by €3, for 1200 cubic meters of gas consumption per month, €8 is added, together €11.
Vattenfall also has many business customers in the SME sector. The rates there increase for an average consumption of 7000 kilowatt hours €7 per month, and for 2000 cubic meters of gas consumption on average €14 per month.
Kroon: ,,It is more important than ever in these circumstances to save on your energy. The best savings is what you don’t spend. Although that is different for every household, and people sometimes already do a lot. But there is much to be gained in savings, which cuts your costs.”
Vattenfall fears that more customers will now run into financial difficulties. “Although we have only seen a decrease in the number of reminders and payment defaults in recent years, we see that the problems could increase. It is best for people to report problems to their supplier as soon as possible,” says Martin Neef, responsible for customer payments at Vattenfall. “The sooner you report the problem, the lower the amounts of money you can get help with. And that help is now fully available at municipalities and other companies.”