Basic electricity and gas supply: what is it and who is entitled to it?
Created: 10/31/2022, 3:55 p.m
By: Patricia Huber
When it comes to the energy crisis, the term basic supply is used again and again.
But what exactly is it and who is entitled to it?
The most important points at a glance.
Munich – Gas and electricity prices have reached record highs this year.
Many consumers have received substantial price increases from their energy suppliers in recent months.
Therefore, more and more are considering a tariff change.
But caution is advised: new customer tariffs are often significantly more expensive.
Basic care is repeatedly mentioned as an alternative.
But what exactly is that?
We have summarized the most important questions and answers about basic services.
What is basic service?
According to the Federal Network Agency's definition, basic supply is the delivery of electricity and gas by the basic supplier to household customers at general prices and conditions.
How do I know who my primary care provider is?
The basic supplier is the energy supply company that supplies most household customers with electricity or gas in a municipality or region.
There are several ways to find out who the primary care provider is where you live.
The simplest solution: ask your network operator.
They can give you the name of the local basic supplier.
However, the basic supplier is often also listed on the website of the city or the municipal utility.
What is the difference between basic care and replacement care?
If, for example, the actual energy supplier loses the right to use the grid, or there are delays in changing the contract, there is a replacement supply.
This is where the basic provider steps in with a legally mandated emergency supply.
This supply takes place for a maximum of three months – then a new energy supply contract must have been concluded.
There are many rules that apply to substitute supply that also apply to basic supply.
A key difference, however, is the price.
Because in the replacement supply, the prices may be adjusted on the first and fifteenth of a month.
The Federal Network Agency therefore also points out on its website that it makes sense to look for a new supplier as quickly as possible.
Because the replacement supply is comparatively expensive.
Is the basic service cheaper than the other tariffs on the market?
Yes, the basic service tariffs are often the cheapest.
About two-thirds of the basic supply tariffs are cheaper than the special tariffs, explained Marion Gaksch, a lawyer for energy law at the Bavarian consumer center to
Merkur.de
.
Many customers have therefore canceled their expensive tariffs and dropped into the basic service.
As a result, many basic suppliers charged higher prices for new customers.
However, according to the legislator, this will no longer be permitted from November 1, 2022.
also read
Up to 1500 euros inflation premium: traffic lights are planning new help - pensioners should also get money this time
In December, the state pays the gas deduction – who gets how much money?
Can the basic provider reject me?
Usually not.
A refusal would only be possible if inclusion would not be reasonable for the energy supplier for economic reasons.
Is it also possible to remain permanently in basic care?
Yes.
Unlike the replacement supply, the basic supply can also be used permanently.
Our free business newsletter provides you with all relevant business news on a regular basis. Click here for registration.
Can the basic provider terminate me?
Termination by the basic supplier is only possible in exceptional cases.
Ordinary termination is therefore only possible if the supply of electricity or gas cannot be reasonably expected for economic reasons.
Extraordinary termination is possible if:
The consumer culpably violates the basic electricity or gas supply, for example by manipulating his gas meter.
The conditions for interrupting the basic supply (blocking) are repeatedly met.
Consumers repeatedly fail to pay despite a reminder and the termination was threatened two weeks in advance.
