Several gas suppliers are suspected of having set unjustifiably high retail prices in connection with the gas price brakes. The Bundeskartellamt reported on Monday of a double-digit number of suppliers who "may have submitted excessive reimbursement applications under the price brake laws".

"We have indications that the prices to the end customers could not be objectively justified and are in the process of bringing light into the darkness," said authority President Andreas Mundt, according to a statement. The first investigation procedures on the basis of the Energy Price Brake Laws have been initiated. "We have the task of protecting the state from exploitation." Further processes for district heating and electricity are imminent. The Cartel Office did not name an order of magnitude for these areas.

The price brakes, which have been in force since the beginning of the year, are intended to ease the burden on consumers. The price of natural gas, which is capped at 12 cents, applies to 80 percent of the forecast annual consumption. In order to promote energy saving, the contractually agreed price must be paid for the rest. The cap is 40 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity and 9.5 cents per kilowatt hour for district heating. The difference between the cap and the contract price is reimbursed by the state - and thus the taxpayer - to the utilities.

"The imposition of fines is also possible"

As the Cartel Office further reported, the proceedings initiated were preceded by an analysis of all application and reporting data in several thousand applications. They revealed prices, delivery quantities, relief sums and customer numbers. "As part of the investigation procedure, the Bundeskartellamt will first conduct systematic and data-based interviews with the companies identified as conspicuous."

If violations were found, unlawfully obtained compensation payments would have to be repaid. "The imposition of fines is also possible."

The price brake laws prohibit abuse of the relief rules. This is intended to prevent energy suppliers from receiving a higher compensation payment by increasing retail prices, although there is no reason for this due to increased costs.