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Electricity providers must offer lowest price

14:43 17/10/2013

As of next year, electricity suppliers will be obliged to offer information on their lowest tariffs to customers who request it, according to an agreement reached between the federal government and the industry.

Companies will place a price simulator online, which customers can to use to find out what the lowest price is to suit their needs. The simulator will also be linked to the electricity regulator CREG in order to compare the price to those offered by other electricity providers. Providers will also be obliged to switch customers over to the lowest tariff at no cost.

Among other specifics agreed to among the industry, federal consumer affairs minister Johan Vande Lanotte and federal energy minister Melchior Wathelet: the ability of a customer to switch to another supplier without penalty; companies may no longer prolong limited-term contracts without the approval of the customer; if there is a repayment due at the end of the year, it must be paid promptly or incur interest to be paid by the company.

The consumer rights organisation Test-Aankoop said the new agreements were a step in the right direction but pointed out that there is still some way to go before electricity prices in Belgium come down to the level of neighbouring countries. The new measures will come into force between January and April of 2014.

Written by Alan Hope