The development of electricity prices in Germany only knows the way up
Germany is usually one of those countries that have no problem being among the international front runners. According to a recent survey, no country in the world has to invest more money in one kilowatt hour of electricity than in Germany.
However, being at the top of this poll raises questions. So far, neither politics nor the electricity companies have taken on the task of explaining why German electricity customers in particular have to dig deep into their pockets to pay their electricity bills.
Taking the top position in a comparison of 145 countries should not be seen as a win, but rather helps to take a closer look at the electricity prices in Germany.
A good half of the electricity price consists of taxes and charges
German electricity customers usually receive a bill for the amount of electricity they consume once a year. This billing shows that it is not only the electricity providers who receive the money paid.
The state is also holding on to the electricity prices. It can be assumed that around 50% of the electricity price now includes charges and taxes. An example from the recent past can be used to illustrate this number.
In 2017, the income from the EEG surcharge was more than 1.5 billion euros. The state is therefore one of the most important reasons of what is currently the highest electricity price in the world.
In most German households, the savings potential has reached its limits
Turning off the light after leaving the room, buying appliances with low consumption of energy and only switching on the washing machine when it is completely full are tips for saving electricity that are readily taken into account in the majority of German households.
Replacing all household appliances for low-consumption products overnight is an expense that most people cannot afford. The rising electricity prices are also causing concern in other respects.
The rise in wages is far less drastic than the price of electricity. In this context, many households in the future will have to ask themselves whether a simpler life far away from numerous electrical appliances will bring the solution.
Climate-friendly electricity does not seem to put an end to the higher prices
In Germany, the argument is often made that the electricity has to be transported to the respective households. There are costs involved in building and operating this network. When looking at the wind turbines that can be found off the coasts as well as inland, doubts arise as to whether green electricity will put an end to the rise in prices.
As the hesitant move to low-cost providers shows, German households often have trouble separating from the basic providers. As long as they see electricity customers as a secure source of money, a reduction in costs is highly unlikely.
Electricity must not become a luxury in Germany
There is no doubt that the well-known two-class society in Germany has long since become part of everyday life, not just in the lower classes, but also in the middle class. Additional burdens for a family with two children of 120 euros per year initially appear to be negligible.
If money is already scarce today, you have to save elsewhere. This can be tutoring for the children or a reduction in trips or expenses for the parents. Very often social participation has to lose out. Feeling left out, only to look at the electricity companies growing profits every year, will also fuel feelings of social injustice.
As the last elections have shown, the major people’s parties in particular have served up the citizens displeasure by casting their votes in the elections. It therefore remains to be seen whether the new government sees an acute need for action or whether it will continue to benefit from the rising prices.