Process heat and space heat should be considered separately.
Two companies with the same annual gas consumption can have very different requirements. A hall primarily needs heat in winter. A production process requires gas even in summer and possibly across multiple shifts. Therefore, for procurement, it's not just the quantity that matters, but also when and for what purpose it's needed.
For your inquiry, please compile consumption statements, existing measurement data, delivery points, and contract deadlines. Include any planned changes: new furnaces, altered shifts, different heating technology, or decommissioned areas. If possible, specify a start date for each foreseeable change. A new furnace line starting in October will have a different impact on the annual gas volume than the same system starting in January.
Which price components are being compared?
A gas offer can present procurement and sales, network usage, metering, and government-mandated charges in different ways. Therefore, do not compare a pure energy price with a total price without verifying the details. Network charges are a separate component of the gas price and are levied for network usage. Source: Federal Network Agency on network charges for electricity and gas.
Use the same delivery period and consumption quantity for each offer. Note what is included, what is added separately, and what remains variable. Convert monthly fees to the same time basis and keep net and gross values separate. If an item is already included, it must not be added again.
When comparing with previous years' documents: Also check the gas storage levy. Since 2026, it has been financed from the federal budget. If it was included in the previous supply price, the corresponding reduction must be clearly shown in the invoice. Have it explained to you whether and where it is already included in your offer; do not deduct it again as a lump sum. The Federal Network Agency describes the reduction and the exception for levies not included in the calculation.
Check CO₂ costs, including current status and calculation basis.
As of September 2026. CO₂ pricing is another cost factor for fossil natural gas. In the national emissions trading system, a price corridor of 55 to 65 euros per ton of CO₂ applies for 2026. This describes the certificate price, not directly a uniform surcharge per kilowatt-hour for each contract. Source: German Federal Environment Agency on the national emissions trading system.
In the offer, ask about the stated value, the reference year, and the adjustment rule. Special uses or situations related to emissions trading require separate assessment. Do not simply apply today's approach to a multi-year term without careful review. A price guarantee may be limited to specific components; its scope is defined in the contract.
What happens with a different consumption level?
For example, a company plans to use 500,000 kWh per year. If two comparable energy prices differ by 0.5 ct/kWh, this results in a difference of €2,500 per year for this quantity. This comparison alone says nothing about additional fixed costs or contractual quantity rules. The figures are a calculation example, not a current offer.
Therefore, check minimum quantities, tolerances, rules for excess or shortfall quantities, termination, and renewal. Which rule applies if a production line starts later? What are the consequences of a colder winter with higher heating requirements? A longer contract term makes fixed price components more predictable. However, it should also be compatible with the planned facilities and the contractual options in case of changing needs.
A template for purchasing decisions
Summarize the offers in four points: price basis, remaining changes, volume risks, and contract duration. Highlight any unclear contract terms and have them answered before making a decision. A lower unit price may be offset by other costs or volume rules. Only the complete calculation, based on your consumption assumptions, will reveal which offer is more economically advantageous.
For an inquiry regarding commercial gas for businesses, please have your annual consumption, delivery start date, and any significant operational changes readily available. This will allow OPTUM to clarify the necessary information with you. If an invoice specifies cubic meters and kilowatt-hours, the gas converter explains the relationship to gross calorific value and volume conversion factor. Our comparison of procurement models will further assist you in choosing the right hedging strategy.
