The German federal government is taking the pressure off some 20 million gas customers and intends to send them a total of 12 billion euros by December. The main plan is for gas customers to be reimbursed for a twelfth of their annual consumption by their suppliers. The December advance can be omitted for the time being or repaid with the next next gas bill.
Domestic and commercial customers who consume no more than 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of gas per year are expected to benefit from the relief. Utilities must get the money quickly transferred from the federal government so they remain liquid despite the December bill waiver. According to German government circles, the bill is expected to be approved by the cabinet next Wednesday.