Due to concerns about the gas stocks for next winter, the gas price has risen sharply again today. This morning, the price of the most important contract for the Netherlands passed the limit of 100 euros per megawatt hour for the first time. At the end of the day, that was already almost 118 euros.
That is almost eight times as much as a year ago. This leads to problems in the industry where production is already being scaled down in various places. Other companies warn that their products are becoming significantly more expensive. Consumers are also noticing the price increases, although the amount depends on the type of contract a household has.
Since the almost complete closure of the gas wells in Groningen, the cabinet has fully relied on the market. Researchers warn that this can lead to high prices and even a shortage of gas. The European gas reserves are quite empty for the time of the year, also in the Netherlands.
Because the gas price has been rising for some time, it did not seem profitable to fill gas stocks after a cold spring in the summer. The Netherlands has commercial storage depots of oil and gas companies that are not obliged to do so. In other countries it is.
Europe divided
Today, European government leaders also discussed the record prices for natural gas and the major consequences this has for households and businesses. In Southern and Eastern Europe in particular, there is a plea for a European solution, although there is no agreement on what that solution should be. Decisions are not expected until a new summit at the end of the month.
Until then, a number of countries are already trying to do something individually. So are in France gas prices ‘frozen’ and lowered Spain VAT on the energy bill. In the Netherlands, half a billion is available to reduce various energy taxes. This saves several tens of euros on an account that can be hundreds of euros higher on an annual basis.
Tomorrow FME, the entrepreneurs’ organization of the technological industry, and the trade unions FNV and CNV will hold a joint manifestation at the House of Representatives about the problems companies face due to high gas and electricity prices.
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