ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market: rates have slightly gone down, start of the heating season is a good time to review energy contracts
                  

                
                                  

  
    
            

The rates for variable and fixed energy contracts went down slightly in August. This is one of the conclusions of the Monitor on the consumer energy market of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). The feed-in costs for individuals that feed power back into the grid have remained relatively stable these past few months. The ‘heating season’ starts in October, which is a good time for households to check whether their energy contracts are ready for the upcoming winter period.


Manon Leijten, Member of the Board of ACM, adds: “Households consume the most natural gas and electricity during the winter months. That’s why it’s a good time to review your energy contract, so that you know whether you’re still good. ACM’s monitor shows there’s a wide of selection of various fixed, variable, and dynamic contracts.”
On track for reaching the minimum filling rate for gas storages


The Dutch gas storages have been filled further, and the filling rate was at 66 percent in late August, which means the Netherlands is on track for reaching the minimum filling rate. The mandatory minimum filling rate for gas storages by November 1 is 74 percent in order to guarantee security of supply during the winter period. The import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the Netherlands remained at a high level in August, with more LNG import in the month of August than ever before.
Dynamic prices soon to be determined per quarter of an hour


Starting in October 2025, the day-ahead electricity prices on the European energy market will no longer be traded per hour, but per quarter of an hour. As weather-dependent electricity production is rapidly gaining ground, it is becoming more and more challenging to balance supply and demand on the grid. By using a price per quarter of an hour, the day-ahead market is better able to meet this challenge.


Every day around 4 p.m., customers with dynamic energy contracts are able to see what the electricity prices will be the next day. Soon, they will no longer see 24 hourly prices, but rather 96 different prices: one price for each quarter of an hour. Some dynamic suppliers will implement this change on October 1. Other suppliers will continue to use hourly prices. ACM believes it is important that energy suppliers inform their customers clearly about the switch to prices per quarter of an hour. Dynamic contracts work differently for natural gas: in that market, the daily price is used because natural gas is not traded per hour or per quarter of an hour.


Dynamic contracts are particularly interesting for households that are able to change their electricity consumption, for example, by turning on the washing machine when electricity is cheap. Households with dynamic contracts have the ability to benefit from lower prices, but have more uncertainty about the level of their energy rates.
Significantly higher rates


ACM keeps a close watch on the prices of energy suppliers. In that context, ACM looks at, among other aspects, the price differences between suppliers as well as at the reasons behind those price differences. ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market reveals that the prices of the below contracts for households this month are significantly higher than comparable contracts from other suppliers.



Supplier
Contract type


Ventum
Variable - electricity


Kikker energie
Variable - electricity


Powerpeers
Variable - electricity


Energyhouse
Variable - electricity


Kikker energie
Dynamic - electricity and natural gas





ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market also reveals that several suppliers charge significantly higher prices for their model contracts. This is the case with ANWB Energy, EnergyZero, Hallostroom, Slim met Energy, Easyenergy, Innova, Zonneplan, Kikker energie, PZEM Energy Company, Tibber, and Clean Energy. A model contract is a standard contract with a variable price that can typically be adjusted on January 1 and July 1. Every energy supplier is statutorily required to offer such a model contract, even suppliers that wish to offer dynamic contracts only. The fact that prices of these model contracts are significantly higher says nothing about the prices of other contracts offered by these suppliers.

      

    
          
                                          
                                  
                                      See also
                      
    

Monitor on the consumer energy market (in Dutch) Monitor on wholesale prices and the security of supply of natural gas (in Dutch)Monitor wholesale prices electricity (in Dutch)
            
                                  
                                
                  

                
          
          
          Publication characteristics
          
                                    
                Publication date
                19-09-2025
              
                      
                                    
                Publication type
                  News

              
                      

                      
              Spokesperson
              
                                    Tjitte Mastenbroek

                              
            
          
                                

          
                      

                                    
                Keywords
                  Gas,
  Electricity,
  Tariffs,
  Monitors

              
                      
                                    
                Subjects
                  Consumer protection,
  Competition

ACM Reports Decline in Energy Rates Ahead of Heating Season

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has released its Monitor on the consumer energy market, indicating a slight decrease in both variable and fixed energy contract rates as of August. This is a timely reminder for households to reassess their energy contracts as the heating season begins in October.

Manon Leijten, a board member of ACM, emphasized the importance of reviewing energy contracts during the winter months when natural gas and electricity consumption peaks. The monitor highlights a diverse range of fixed, variable, and dynamic contracts available to consumers.

As of late August, Dutch gas storages were filled to 66 percent, on track to meet the mandatory minimum filling rate of 74 percent by November 1, ensuring security of supply for the winter. The import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has also reached record levels in August.

Starting in October 2025, the European energy market will shift to trading day-ahead electricity prices per quarter of an hour instead of per hour, a change aimed at better balancing supply and demand due to the increasing reliance on weather-dependent electricity production.

ACM continues to monitor energy prices closely, noting significant price differences among suppliers. The monitor reveals that certain suppliers, such as Ventum and Kikker energie, are charging significantly higher rates for their variable electricity contracts compared to others.



ACM Reports Decline in Energy Rates Ahead of Heating Season

The Dutch competition authority, ACM, reports a slight decrease in energy contract rates as the heating season approaches, urging consumers to review their contracts.