Reduction in Advisor Consultations on Energy Matters - Consulting services in the energy sector
In the first months of 2025, the proportion of energy-related consultations at the Consumer Advice Center Hessen in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, has fallen further to 16%. This decrease is primarily due to the easing of crisis conditions and improved supply security, as the immediate urgency and uncertainty that fueled high demand for advice during the energy crisis have subsided.
During the peak of the energy crisis, consumers faced significant concerns regarding energy supply interruptions, price spikes, and the need for efficiency measures or alternative energy options. As the crisis eased, with improved supply security measures such as the upcoming Spessart-Odenwald pipeline, consumer anxiety diminished, and fewer people sought guidance.
In 2024, the most sought-after energy topics at the Hessen center were energy efficiency improvements, particularly in buildings, renewable energy utilization, climate-neutral heat supply plans at the municipal level, and energy supply security. The state supports energy-saving renovations in public buildings and encourages the use of renewable energy for heat supply, reflecting consumer interest in sustainable energy solutions and compliance with regional climate goals for 2045.
However, the most sought-after topics at the Consumer Advice Center Hessen shifted to money and insurance, digital issues, and general consumer contracts in 2024. This change may be attributed to factors not directly related to the energy crisis, as the article does not provide specific information about the issues or problems faced by consumers in these areas.
In 2024, the Consumer Advice Center Hessen issued a warning to an energy supplier as a first step, in response to the supplier attempting to conceal a price increase by temporarily lowering prices. The center hopes to achieve a long-term reversal of the price increases through their actions.
In 2024, around 51,000 people used the consulting services of the Consumer Advice Center Hessen. Despite the decrease in energy-related consultations, the center remains vigilant in protecting consumer rights, combating energy poverty, and ensuring fair energy practices.
Fake shops offering cheap goods but never delivering them were a significant problem in 2024, according to VZ Hessen. Phillip Wendt, the managing director of VZ Hessen, considered the energy supplier's procedure as opaque and unfair towards customers. The article does not provide information about the specific service providers contacted by VZ Hessen, beyond the mentioned energy supplier.
The current status or future trends of consultations on energy topics at the Consumer Advice Center Hessen are not specified in the article. However, the center's commitment to consumer protection and advocacy remains steadfast, ensuring that consumers in Hesse continue to receive the support they need in navigating the complex world of energy and consumer issues.
- As energy-related consultations at the Consumer Advice Center Hessen have significantly decreased, the center is now focusing on community policy issues, particularly advising on matters related to finance, insurance, and digital issues since these were the most sought-after topics in 2024.
- The Consumer Advice Center Hessen continues to monitor the industry, including the energy sector, ensuring compliance with employment policies, as they strive to protect consumer rights and advocate for fair practices, despite the shift in consultation focus.
