Cheapest Energy Suppliers 2026: Top & Affordable Alternatives
A wrong choice for your energy contract can cost you seriously money in 2026. In fact, there are suppliers where you structurally pay too much, simply because the rates are high and there is little or no discount in return.
That’s why we list the most expensive energy suppliers of 2026 and then show which contracts you pay the least for.
Variable contract
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The variable energy contract is at the very top as the most expensive energy contract of 2026. This applies to both households that currently have a variable contract and households that switch to a variable contract.
Variable contracts are expensive for two significant reasons:
- The rates are frequently enough much higher than with fixed or dynamic contracts
- A transfer bonus is almost never paid out
most expensive energy suppliers
with the variable contracts below,you pay the most on average:
- Delta Energie – electricity: € 0.275 per kWh | gas: € 1.312 per m
- OM Energie – electricity: € 0.291 per kWh | gas: € 1.242 per m
- Essent – electricity: € 0.281 per kWh | gas: € 1.295 per m
Curious about the cheapest energy contract?
Check it with the choice aid energy comparison.
Fixed contract (3 years)
With many three-year contracts, you often pay the top price. Because the supplier buys forward for a long time, the rates are usually higher.The only advantage is price certainty. So only choose it if this is really important to you.
Note: you often get ee
Energy Price Caps in the Netherlands (2024-2026)
The Dutch government implemented energy price caps between 2024 and 2026 to mitigate the impact of high energy prices on households and businesses, tho these caps have evolved and are now largely phased out. The initial measures aimed to limit both gas and electricity costs, but the support scheme has been adjusted based on market developments and government policy.
Initial Price Caps (2024)
The initial price caps,introduced in 2024,set a maximum price for energy consumption. For households, the price cap for electricity was €0.40 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and for natural gas, €1.45 per cubic meter (m³).
This initial support was designed to provide relief during a period of significant energy price volatility following the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine. The Dutch government’s FAQ on energy prices details the initial scheme and it’s objectives.
Adjustments and Phase-Out (2024-2026)
the price caps where adjusted throughout 2024 and 2025 as wholesale energy prices decreased. The government opted for a phased reduction in support, aiming to balance consumer protection with the need to reflect market prices. The final phase-out occurred in 2026.
Specifically, the government reduced the maximum price compensation in 2025, and completely abolished it in January 2026. The official announcement on January 8, 2025 confirmed the end of the energy compensation scheme on January 1, 2026.
Compensation Scheme Details
The compensation scheme operated by providing a discount on energy bills. Households received a reduction on thier monthly bills, up to the capped price. The amount of the discount depended on actual consumption, with the greatest benefit accruing to households with moderate energy usage.
According to the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM), the scheme was most cost-effective for consumption levels around 2,300 kWh of electricity and 900 m³ of natural gas. This is because the compensation was designed to cover the difference between the market price and the capped price, and the benefit was maximized when consumption fell within this range.
Current situation (January 2026)
As of January 14, 2026, there are no longer any national energy price caps in effect in the Netherlands.Consumers now pay market prices for their energy. The government encourages consumers to compare energy suppliers to find the best deals.
Consumers can use comparison websites like Gaslicht.com to compare energy prices from different suppliers. The government website on energy saving also provides tips on reducing energy consumption and lowering bills.