According to an analysis by the comparison portal Check24, German households used significantly more electricity and gas last year. The energy price shock is now followed by normalization.
According to an analysis by the comparison portal Check24, households in Germany have increased their electricity and gas consumption significantly in 2023. According to this, people used 23.2 percent more gas and around 14 percent more electricity last year than in 2022.
On average, a household’s gas consumption has increased to around 19,000 kilowatt hours per year and electricity consumption to around 3,150 kilowatt hours per year. According to the data, in 2022 gas consumption was 15,400 kWh and electricity consumption was 2,800 kWh.
High prices, mild temperatures
According to the Federal Network Agency, around 14 percent less gas was consumed in 2022 compared to the average consumption for the years 2018-2021. Industrial customers then consumed 15 percent less gas and household and commercial customers twelve percent less gas.
Last year, consumption reportedly returned to normal after falling significantly in 2022 in response to high prices as a result of energy circles following the Russian attack on Ukraine. According to the Federal Network Agency, the comparatively mild temperatures also had a major influence on gas consumption, which had an overall effect on reducing consumption.
Prices have fallen
According to calculations by Check24, consumers paid around eight percent less for electricity in 2023 than in 2022. 3,500 kilowatt hours of electricity cost an average of 1,383 euros in Germany after 1,509 euros in 2022. Gas prices then fell by around 28 percent.
Meanwhile, the data is not representative. They are based on an evaluation of all electricity and gas contracts concluded via Check24 in 2023 and the consumption values specified by customers. Check24 did not give the exact number of contracts evaluated, but it was in the six-figure range for both electricity and gas, said a spokeswoman for the comparison portal.
Relatively low consumption in Berlin
The consumption of gas and electricity has increased in all federal states. Households in Saxony consumed the most gas in 2023 with an average of 22,358 kilowatt hours, according to Check24. Hessian households used an average of 20,969 kilowatt hours, in Saarland it was 20,599 kilowatt hours. Berlin households used the least gas at 14,339 kilowatt hours.
According to the analysis, Lower Saxony had the highest electricity consumption per household with an average of 3,352 kilowatt hours. According to the comparison portal, consumption was lowest in Berlin (2,544 kWh) and Hamburg (2,662 kWh).
Electricity and gas significantly cheaper in the first quarter
Meanwhile, the prices for electricity and gas for new customers have continued to fall. In the first quarter they were significantly below the level from the previous year and also noticeably below that of 2022, as can also be seen from an evaluation by the comparison portal Check24. Gas prices in particular have continued to fall since the beginning of the year. “The prices for new customers are cheaper than they have been for a long time,” summarizes Steffen Suttner from Check24. Electricity prices have also fallen, but significantly less.