The sharp rise in electricity and natural gas prices in the Netherlands is expected to cost households around 4,000 euros in the new year.
According to the Gaslicht energy price comparison portal, households that have signed an annual energy contract of 2,500 euros in 2021 will contract for 6,500 euros for use at the same standards this year. This means that in 2022, households will spend 2.5 times more energy than in 2021.
Gaslicht founder Ben Woldring tweeted: “Energy prices have been rising for the last 7 months. As the rise continues, the number of households that will have to cope with the burden will increase as well.” shared.
Martin Neef, the senior manager of Vattenfall, the largest electricity supplier in the Netherlands, said that they have no choice but to pass on the rising energy prices to their customers.
Wholesale electricity and gas prices tripled
In the news in the Dutch newspaper NU, the expectation that rising electricity and natural gas prices could triple the household bills was announced.
While 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity was 20 cents last year, it is predicted that it will be sold for 50 to 70 cents this year.
In the news, which included the predictions of the Netherlands National Budget Information Institute, it was stated that an increase is expected in the number of those who have financial difficulties due to rising energy prices in the country.
While the households pay their annual energy bills as a fixed amount through annual or multi-year agreements with energy bill distributors in the country, the amount of under- or over-use is recalculated according to the end-of-year usage.
Inflation and cost of living
After the war between Russia and Ukraine in the Netherlands, the increase in energy and food prices could not be prevented.
In the country, whose July inflation was 10.3 percent, it was announced that this was the highest monthly inflation since 1975.
The decline in purchasing power and the cost of living affect the Dutch tangibly.