Variable gas is up 7%: compare three contract types before renewing

A household still on a variable energy contract may be facing more than a routine adjustment: ACM says gas is about 7% dearer than last month and 12% above the pre-war level, while electricity rose roughly 3%.

• The contrast reflects the power mix: about half of Dutch electricity comes from wind and solar, and the country exported 7.7 TWh in the first half of 2026, weakening the direct link between gas and power prices.
• Fixed contracts offer tariff certainty and July offers were 1-6% lower than a month earlier. The trade-off is missing later market falls and often paying a termination charge to leave early.
• Variable rates usually change several times a year; dynamic rates follow wholesale prices daily or every 15 minutes. Compare identical annual use, standing charges, bonuses and exit fees, not only the advertised unit rate.

Hokimi field note: Download twelve months of consumption and compare at least three suppliers on the same day. Mixing this month’s variable tariff with last year’s fixed offer can make a costly annual total look cheap.