The gas levy is 2.419 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). An example calculation: With an annual consumption of 16,000 kWh for a living space of 100 square meters, that would be 345 euros per year. Should VAT be added, which is not yet certain, the example calculation would add another 75 euros.
The surcharge applies from October 1, 2022.
It is to be collected for a year and a half, i.e. by the end of March 2024.
All private customers and companies that use gas have to pay the surcharge. Tenants who do not have their own gas contracts must expect significantly higher ancillary cost bills. It is therefore advisable to set aside money.
The charge is shown as a surcharge on the gas bill. However, this will not happen on October 1st, but only four to eight weeks later, i.e. on the November or December bill. Reason: The companies have to comply with certain notice periods.
Energy companies that currently receive significantly less gas from Russia than contractually agreed are to be relieved. Because Russia supplies less gas, these companies have to procure the gas elsewhere at a much higher price, but in many cases cannot immediately pass the additional costs on to their gas customers, who often have contracts with fixed prices and longer terms. The importers have to bear the additional costs themselves until the end of September, following which they can pass on 90 percent of the higher procurement costs via the levy.
In addition to relieving gas importers, the levy should also be an incentive to save gas so that there are no bottlenecks in winter. At the moment, many gas customers are still unaware of the higher prices, because prices are still fixed with the respective provider. In addition, the federal government wants to prevent systemically important gas importers from going bankrupt and threatening supply failures.
That is to be expected. Gas customers report that the new working price is currently three times the old price following the price fixing expires. Consumer advocates are also assuming that gas suppliers will increase prices significantly. A further increase in the gas levy is also not excluded. It is updated every three months.
