Business · Energy & Commodities · 1 day ago
Rising gas prices push more households to lock in energy rates
Households are turning their heating back on as autumn begins, but gas costs more than it did a year ago.
The war in the Middle East has pushed gas prices higher.
For a household using about 1,000 cubic metres of gas a year, the increase could add around €500 to annual gas costs, with electricity adding further expense.
More people are seeking fixed energy contracts, which keep the price the same for a set period.
Multi-year contracts are now slightly cheaper than one-year deals, and requests for three-year contracts are ten times higher than a year ago.
A fixed contract can protect households from price rises, while a dynamic contract may suit people who can shift energy use to cheaper times.
Prices are expected to remain high, and demand for gas is likely to rise as colder weather arrives in November.
Dutch households are likely to pay more for gas than last year as gas prices have risen amid the war in the Middle East.
Pricewise estimates gas costs are 40 to 50 cents higher per cubic metre than a year ago.
Price comparison sites are seeing more people seek fixed energy prices, and multi-year contracts are now slightly cheaper than annual ones.
Applications for longer contracts are 10 times more frequent than a year ago, according to Pricewise.
Economists expect prices to remain high for now, while colder weather from November is expected to increase gas demand.
- Who
- Dutch households facing higher gas bills. More people are seeking fixed energy contracts.
- What
- Gas prices are higher than last year, and demand for fixed contracts has increased.
- When
- The report was published on 10 October 2026, as autumn began. Colder weather is expected from November.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- The war in the Middle East has reduced gas supply and driven prices up. Gas demand is expected to rise as the weather gets colder.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The price of gas compared with a year ago is really 40 to 50 cents higher per cubic metre.
We see longer contracts being applied for 10 times more often than a year ago.
If it is a cold winter, prices will shoot up. If you want to avoid that risk, you should take a fixed contract.
Gas prices have risen sharply amid the war in the Middle East.
NOS reported that households were turning their heating on as autumn began.
Colder weather is expected, bringing increased demand for gas.
- Gas price increase
- 40 to 50 cents more per cubic metre than a year earlier
- Estimated annual gas cost
- €500 more for a household using around 1,000 cubic metres
- Estimated annual electricity cost
- €250 more
- Longer-contract applications
- 10 times as frequent as a year earlier
- Publication date
- 10 October 2026
Sources
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