Three roles are constantly confused: the grid operator (owns the cables, fixes outages, never changes), the default supplier (the local utility that must supply anyone who has no other contract) and the supplier (sells you the kilowatt-hours).
- “They will not take me back.” Wrong – the default supplier must supply every household customer in its area (§ 36 EnWG) and may not charge returning customers more than existing ones (since 2022).
- “In a blackout nobody helps me.” Wrong – the grid operator is legally obliged to run the grid reliably and fix faults for everyone connected, regardless of supplier (§ 11 EnWG). Its fault number is on your bill.
- “The default tariff is cheapest.” Wrong – it is usually the most expensive: 44.93 ct/kWh on average versus 38.20 ct/kWh at other suppliers (Federal Network Agency, 2025).
- “Switching causes a power gap.” Wrong – the technical switch takes 24 hours since June 2025 and costs nothing.
- “If my supplier goes bust I have no power.” Wrong – you fall automatically into replacement supply (§ 38 EnWG).
General information, not advice. Sources: German Energy Industry Act, Federal Network Agency, consumer advice centres – as of October 2026. Electricity and gas check.
