ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market: natural-gas price fluctuates significantly, filling rate of natural-gas storages continues to go down 
                  

                
                                  






  







  



  
    
              
        
        
      
      
                        
          

Summary

The natural-gas price has fluctuated significantly, and the filling rate of the Dutch natural-gas storages has dropped considerably since early 2026. These are some of the conclusions of ACM’s Monitor on the consumer energy market.
The supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the Netherlands in January did remain stable. The natural-gas price in Northwestern Europe is higher than the natural-gas price in East Asia, as a result of which LNG ships have an incentive to sail to Europe.
ACM will continue to keep a close watch on the filling rate and the supply of LNG.


  

  

    
      
          

      

  


                






        
          

The natural-gas price on the wholesale market went up substantially in January. The natural-gas price of 43 euros per MWh in late January was the highest in six months. The price subsequently fluctuated significantly in February. The filling rate of the Dutch natural-gas storages has gone down considerably since the beginning of 2026. These are some of the conclusions of the Monitor on the consumer energy market of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).


The natural-gas price on the wholesale market in January went up from 29 euros per MWh at the beginning of the month to 40 euros per MWh at the end of it, with a peak of 43 euros per MWh. The price increase was caused by a combination of factors: geopolitical tensions, forecasts of cold weather in Europe, and winter storm Fern in the United States, as a result of which less liquefied natural gas (LNG) could temporarily be exported. In the course of February, the natural-gas price subsequently fluctuated significantly. In early February, the natural-gas price dropped below 30 euros per MWh, but, later in the month, the price started to go up again to 32 euros per MWh.
Effects on energy bills


The price increase on the wholesale market in January did not immediately have an effect on all prices for households. In January, the rates for fixed and variable contracts remained more or less constant compared with the previous month. Only with regard to fixed natural-gas contracts, a slight increase of approximately 2.5 percent was observed in January. For households with dynamic contracts, however, fluctuations on the wholesale market are immediately reflected in their energy bills.
The filling rate of natural-gas storages has gone down


The filling rate of the Dutch natural-gas storages has dropped considerably since the beginning of 2026, from 48 percent at the start of the year to twelve percent on February 22. At the European level, the average filling rate dropped from 62 percent to 31 percent. January was colder than usual, as a result of which demand for natural gas was higher compared with the past three years. The supply of LNG to the Netherlands did remain stable in January.The natural-gas price in Northwestern Europe is higher than the natural-gas price in East Asia, as a result of which LNG ships have an incentive to sail to Europe. The price difference between natural gas in the summer and winter periods (the so-called spread) is only slightly positive at the moment, which means that market participants currently have few financial incentives to fill natural-gas storages for the next winter period. ACM will continue to keep a close watch on the filling rate and the supply of LNG.
Electricity market


Just like the natural-gas prices have fluctuated significantly, so have the electricity prices. In January, the price of electricity was at a high level as the average day-ahead price was 108 euros per MWh, making it the highest average price since February 2025. Electricity prices follow the increasing natural-gas prices. When the natural-gas price fluctuated in early February, the price for electricity followed the same pattern. The good news is that the generation of electricity from solar and wind power in the EU now exceeds that from fossil sources. The Netherlands had already reached this milestone earlier, and now it has been achieved across the European Union.
Significantly higher fees


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



Supplier
Contract type


Ventum
Variable electricity


Groenpand
Variable electricity


Powerpeers
Variable electricity


Kikker energie
Dynamic electricity





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 Tibber, Zonneplan, EP Commodities, EnergyZero, and Noord Energie. A model contract is a standard contract that every energy supplier is statutorily required to offer. That is also the case with 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

24-02-2026ACM takes measures for filling NAM’s natural-gas storages

Monitor on wholesale prices and the security of supply of natural gas (in Dutch)

Monitor on wholesale prices electricity (in Dutch)

Monitor on the consumer energy market (in Dutch)


  

  


    
          
                                          
                                  
                        
                                  
                                
                  

                
          
          
          Publication characteristics
          
                                    
                Publication date
                24-02-2026
              
                      
                                    
                Publication type
                  News

              
                      

                                          
              Press office 
              
                                  Contact
                              
            
          
                                

          
                      

                                    
                Keywords
                  Monitors,
  Electricity,
  Gas,
  Tariffs

              
                      
                                    
                Subjects
                  Energy,
  Consumer protection

ACM Reports Significant Fluctuations in Natural-Gas Prices and Storage Rates

The natural-gas price in the Netherlands has seen substantial fluctuations, with a notable increase in January 2026, reaching a peak of 43 euros per MWh. This rise is attributed to geopolitical tensions, cold weather forecasts, and reduced LNG exports from the U.S. The price has since fluctuated, dropping below 30 euros per MWh in early February before rising again.

In contrast, the filling rate of Dutch natural-gas storages has decreased dramatically, falling from 48% at the start of the year to just 12% by February 22. This decline is mirrored at the European level, where the average filling rate dropped from 62% to 31%. The colder January increased demand for natural gas, while the stable supply of LNG to the Netherlands has not been enough to offset the filling rate decline.

Electricity prices have also mirrored the fluctuations in natural-gas prices, with January seeing the highest average day-ahead price since February 2025 at 108 euros per MWh. The increase in electricity prices is closely linked to the rising natural-gas prices. However, there is positive news as the generation of electricity from renewable sources in the EU has surpassed that from fossil fuels.

ACM continues to monitor energy prices closely, noting significant price differences among energy suppliers. Some suppliers are charging considerably higher prices for their model contracts, which are standard contracts that all energy suppliers must offer. This observation raises concerns about consumer protection in the energy market.



ACM Reports Significant Fluctuations in Natural-Gas Prices and Storage Rates

The Dutch competition authority, ACM, reports notable fluctuations in natural-gas prices and a significant decline in the filling rate of natural-gas storages since early 2026.