Following an ACM investigation, energy supplier Gulf refunds wrongfully charged early-termination fees 
                  

                
                                  






  







  



  
    
              
        
        
      
      
                        
          

Summary

More than 1,500 customers of energy supplier Gulf paid wrongful or too high early-termination fees when they switched to a different supplier.
This involves a total of over 1.6 million euros.
Customers that have paid too high or wrongful termination fees will get their money back.


  

  

    
      
          

      

  


                

  
    
            

More than 1,500 customers of Dutch energy supplier Gulf Gas + Power paid wrongful or too high early-termination fees when they switched to a different supplier. This has been revealed in an investigation of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). In order to compensate harmed consumers, Gulf has made a legally enforceable commitment to ACM. Customers that have paid wrongful or too high early-termination fees will get the excess amount refunded. If customers have an outstanding balance with Gulf, it will offset this against the refund. Gulf Gas + Power primarily target small businesses such as independent contractors.


Customers that terminate fixed contracts for the supply of natural gas and/or electricity before the end date often need to pay an early-termination fee to their suppliers. On 1 June 2023, new rules for setting the early-termination fees came into effect. The early-termination fee cannot be higher than the costs that the supplier incurs in connection with the termination. ACM’s investigation shows that Gulf did not set the early-termination fees in accordance with the rules. Furthermore, Gulf did not properly inform customers of the rules regarding early-termination fees, and it has, against the rules, automatically renewed part of the fixed contracts. As a result, customers had to pay wrongful early-termination fees when they switched.


Manon Leijten, Member of the Board of ACM, adds: “Following reports from consumers and independent contractors, ACM investigated the use of early-termination fees. The investigation revealed that Gulf failed to comply with the rules regarding early-termination fees. With this legally enforceable commitment, we ensure that customers that were harmed by this will get their money back.”
Consequences for Gulf customers


The commitment applies to all Gulf customers that have paid too high early-termination fees since 1 June 2023 (the date that new rules for early-termination fees came into effect). Gulf customers that have been impacted by this will, by mid-February at the latest, receive a credit invoice from Gulf stating the amount that will be refunded as well as the bank account number that Gulf has on file. If the bank account number is correct, customers do not need to take any action, and the money will be refunded by late March 2026 at the latest. If the bank account number is incorrect, customers need to inform Gulf thereof as soon as possible. If customers have an outstanding balance, Gulf will offset the credit amount against this.


Gulf has incorrectly calculated termination fees for over 1,400 customers, totaling 1.6 million euros. Furthermore, approximately 100 customers have paid 37,000 euros in wrongful early-termination fees as a result of automatic renewals.
ACM’s investigation


Following complaints, ACM has conducted an investigation into six energy suppliers. Because of this investigation, five energy suppliers have immediately taken measures to correct the mistakes and to prevent new ones from occurring. Since the situation found at Gulf was more serious than at the five other suppliers, ACM decided to continue to investigation into Gulf. Besides paying back the too high early-termination fees, Gulf has also committed to taking measures for preventing repeat occurrences. Over the next few months, ACM will keep an extra close watch on Gulf to see whether it complies with the commitment.


In December 2025, Gulf was acquired by Dutch energy supplier Eneco. Gulf will remain responsible for compliance with the commitment. Eneco has informed ACM of its efforts to have Gulf properly comply with the commitment. Gulf customers that have questions about the commitment may contact Gulf’s customer service by sending an email to vragen@gulfgasandpower.nl. Also, more information about early-termination fees can be found on ACM’s website (in Dutch). Customers can file reports with ACM if problems with the commitment occur.

      

    
          
                                          
                                  
                                      See also
                      
    

13-01-2026  Public decision declaring commitment made by Gulf binding (in Dutch)24-07-2025  Energy suppliers to inform customers better about early-termination fees following an ACM investigation | ACMGulf’s websiteEarly-termination fees for energy contracts | ACM (in Dutch)
            
                                  
                                
                  

                
          
          
          Publication characteristics
          
                                    
                Publication date
                13-01-2026
              
                      
                                    
                Publication type
                  News

              
                      

                                          
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                Keywords
                  Gas,
  Electricity,
  Commitment

              
                      
                                    
                Subjects
                  Energy,
  Consumer protection

Gulf Energy to Refund Customers After ACM Investigation

More than 1,500 customers of Dutch energy supplier Gulf Gas + Power were found to have paid wrongful or excessive early-termination fees when switching suppliers, as revealed by an investigation from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).

 To compensate affected consumers, Gulf has made a legally enforceable commitment to refund the excess amounts. Customers who have paid these fees will receive a credit invoice by mid-February, detailing the refund amount and their bank account information.

 ACM's investigation indicated that Gulf did not comply with new rules effective from June 1, 2023, which limit early-termination fees to the actual costs incurred by the supplier. Additionally, Gulf failed to adequately inform customers about these rules and improperly renewed some fixed contracts, leading to wrongful charges.

 ACM's board member, Manon Leijten, emphasized the importance of this commitment to ensure that harmed customers receive their refunds. Gulf has also committed to implementing measures to prevent future violations, and ACM will monitor compliance closely.

 Gulf, which was acquired by Eneco in December 2025, remains responsible for adhering to this commitment. Customers with questions can reach out to Gulf's customer service for assistance.



Gulf Energy to Refund Customers After ACM Investigation

The Dutch competition authority has mandated energy supplier Gulf to refund over 1.6 million euros to customers who were charged wrongful early-termination fees.