The ACM is conducting an additional investigation into the financial returns of several heat suppliers in the Netherlands. This move aims to protect households connected to heat networks from facing unreasonably high rates charged by suppliers. The investigation will initially focus on five heat suppliers that have realized high financial returns.

The Financial-return Monitor compiled by ACM has shown significant variations in financial returns among the 31 licensed heat suppliers in 2023, ranging from a negative return of 22 percent to a positive return of 21 percent. To better understand these returns, ACM has requested additional information from all suppliers to determine which ones will be included in the investigation. The monitor lacks sufficient differentiation between supplying heat to large-scale and small-scale users, leading to a challenge in determining financial returns for small-scale users.

To safeguard consumers, ACM sets maximum rates annually that apply to households and small-scale users connected to heat networks. However, these rates do not extend to large-scale users like corporations. The Dutch Heat Act mandates that these rates be based on the natural gas price on January 1 of the following year, ensuring suppliers cannot earn excessive profits through these rates.

ACM has urged heat suppliers to avoid unjustified price increases and enhance transparency in explaining pricing to customers. While suppliers are encouraged to disclose their costs, revenues, and financial returns, ACM cannot compel them to do so under current regulations. The average return of all 31 licensed heat suppliers in 2023 was 1.02 percent, but this figure is not very informative due to significant variations in returns among suppliers.