2023-05-12 14:01:12
On the energy market, peace of mind has a minimum cost of 200 euros per year, according to figures from the federal energy regulator (Creg) published on Friday.
In recent months, energy suppliers have once more been offering fixed contracts for the supply of electricity and gas, following stopping them last year. The high volatility of energy markets, engendered by the war in Ukraine, made fixed-price contracts unpredictable and unprofitable at the time.
Now that soaring energy prices seem to be behind us, suppliers are once more offering fixed contracts, although these are slightly more expensive than variable offers. Indeed, the price guarantee has a cost, described as a “risk premium” by the Creg.
The federal regulator has calculated the difference between variable and fixed contracts. For the month of May, the difference (for the energy component only) between the cheapest fixed gas contract and the cheapest variable gas contract in Flanders amounts to 259 euros per year. For electricity, the difference amounts to 208 euros per year. “It is up to the consumer to assess whether he is ready to pay the risk premium to prevent his bill from increasing with the seasonal increase in market prices from the second half of 2023.“, indicates the Creg.
Another finding noted by the latter: those who opt for the cheapest fixed contract for gas and electricity pay less than those who choose the most expensive variable contract.
The regulator welcomes the existence of an extensive fixed offer. However, gas and electricity prices are still relatively high compared to those that prevailed before the energy crisis.
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