Germany’s outgoing Minister for Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck (The Greens), claims that the decision to stop importing Russian pipeline gas has been a success. He argues that the country has quickly become less dependent on Russian energy. However, consumers will soon realize that the story is not entirely accurate. According to the comparison portal Verivox, gas prices for households have increased by around 23 percent compared to last year. Although the price shock of 2022 has passed, it will not make gas cheaper. Even if the gas price remains stable, the price of heating will continue to rise. One reason for this is that since April 2024, the full value-added tax of 19 percent will again be levied on gas.
Despite the relatively mild winter, households that heat with gas had to pay an average of 1,858 euros for heating their single-family house this winter, according to calculations by the portal. This is more than 340 euros than last year, when the amount was 1,515 euros. Even though it was the 14th consecutive mild winter, there were some very cold days when the heating systems ran at full capacity, which affected the bill.
Homeowners who heat with oil came out much better this year, with prices increasing by only one percent. They will have to pay 1,554 euros for this heating season. Overall, private household energy consumption is rising again after being significantly reduced in recent years due to skyrocketing prices. According to data from Techem, consumption of heating energy was 23.6 percent higher this year than in the previous year.
The resumption of pipeline gas supplies from Russia has led to a significant reduction in gas costs. One strand of the Nord Stream pipeline remained undamaged after the terrorist attack in September 2022. Russia has repeatedly offered to resume gas supplies through this strand, but the German government refuses to accept them. The incoming government also plans to maintain this position. A discussion within the CDU about the possible resumption of Russian gas supplies after a ceasefire in Ukraine has been stifled in its infancy.
Russian pipeline gas is currently still being imported into the EU via TurkStream. This benefits Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, but especially Bulgaria, which not only imports the gas but also charges fees for the transit of Russian gas to neighboring countries. Germany is now importing significantly more liquefied gas. However, liquefaction requires significant technical effort, making the gas much more expensive. Additionally, the energy balance deteriorates due to this process.