Bundesnetzagentur launches proceedings against energy supplier
Year of issue 2024
Date of issue 2024.08.20
The Bundesnetzagentur has opened supervisory proceedings against Elektrizitätsversorgung Berlin ElVeBe GmbH.
"When consumers contact us about what they see as inaccurate energy bills, we investigate to see if the company has been acting in line with the law,"
said Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur.
Suspected unlawful consumption estimates and late billing
Consumers had contacted the Bundesnetzagentur's energy consumer advice service with complaints about Elektrizitätsversorgung Berlin ElVeBe GmbH. The company is suspected of not complying with the law when estimating energy consumption for its customers' bills. It is also possible that the company did not take account of actual circumstances. In addition, the company is suspected of not billing its customers within the statutory six-week period.
The Bundesnetzagentur has therefore launched ex officio supervisory proceedings.
The regulatory role of the Bundesnetzagentur in the interests of consumers
The Bundesnetzagentur examines on a continual basis whether suppliers comply with their obligations under energy law. It may initiate regulatory steps if it is suspected that energy undertakings are in violation of the Energy Industry Act. This will take account in each case of the extent to which there are indications of systematic abuse. The Bundesnetzagentur may prohibit behaviour that is in breach of the law.
The Bundesnetzagentur is in contact with the customers affected, the energy suppliers and consumer organisations. Consumers that are affected can find information and steps that can be taken on the Bundesnetzagentur's website at www.bundesnetzagentur.de/energieverbraucher (in German).