Electricity more than twice as expensive this month even with a dynamic contract

Electricity prices for dynamic contracts in the Netherlands have more than doubled in September compared to the same period last year. Analysis shows the average market price rose to 15.14 cents per kilowatt hour, up from 7.29 cents in 2023. Energy experts attribute this significant increase to the higher costs of natural gas, which is increasingly needed for electricity production, especially during evening hours when renewable energy generation is lower.

The volatility in pricing has also widened, with both the cheapest and most expensive hours becoming more costly. While consumers can potentially save money by shifting tasks like charging an electric vehicle to cheaper time slots, the overall increase in base prices has diminished the advantages of dynamic contracts. Experts note that the effectiveness of these plans depends heavily on a household's ability to adjust their consumption patterns. As gas prices remain high, the price gap is expected to shift, potentially narrowing as gas-fired plants are required more frequently throughout the day later in the year.