In the case of energy price brakes, the Cartel Office is now also examining whether suppliers of district heating have set excessively high prices after natural gas suppliers. In the case of several heat suppliers who have submitted prepayment applications under the price brake laws, test procedures have been initiated, the authority announced on Tuesday in Bonn. They had previously been identified as "conspicuous". In case of violations, fines are possible.

"Well over a hundred heating networks of various sizes in various regions of Germany are affected," explained Andreas Mundt, President of the Authority. "As with natural gas, the procedures initiated in the heating sector also cover around 15 percent of the relief amounts claimed so far for the first quarter of 2023." Municipal utilities, regional suppliers and industrial suppliers would be examined.

The energy price brake caps the price per kilowatt hour at 80.9 cents for district heating household customers for 5 percent of the forecast demand. If the contract price is higher, the companies are reimbursed the difference by the state. Customers have to pay the full price for consumption in excess of this.

The basis for the audits are the prohibitions of abuse of the price brake laws. They prohibit prices that lead to unjustified state relief amounts. The Bundeskartellamt is already conducting such investigations against natural gas suppliers. "Further proceedings in the field of electricity are imminent," the authority announced.