Who are we? What is Ostrom all about?
Ostrom was founded on the idea that managing your energy shouldn't be such a headache. This is why we work hard to ensure all our customers get the best possible plan for them, no strings attached.
- 📅 Flexible: you can sign up or cancel anytime, no 12-24 month lock-in.
- 💶 Affordable: Energy-at-cost with just a flat 6€ fee, no margin on usage.
- 📱 Digital: do everything on our site or within the app, no post or fax required.
- 🌍 Green: we do well by doing good, only 100% renewable energy.
- 👩💻 Customer Support: we make sure you never feel lost.
What makes Ostrom special?
To fight climate change efficiently, we’ve established a digital energy management platform to ease Germany’s switch to 100% green energy — while enabling consumers to manage and reduce their own consumption. For this, we offer only one clear, transparent tariff with monthly cancellation, and end-to-end English & German support, all from our website to live customer care. By using modern tech, we keep things lean and simple, allowing us to focus on our customer’s needs and stay 100% green—without needing to markup our tariffs like other providers do.
What is the Ostrom tariff? How is Ostrom's electricity priced?
More often than not, traditional providers will charge you fees as an additional part of the price per killowatt-hour, i.e. the more you use, the more they earn. We don't do that. We don't want to make money on your consumption—if anything, we want to reduce it!
To decouple our revenue from your electricity consumption, we have a set flat 6€ monthly fee that just covers our expenses.
How is the Ostrom tariff cost calculated?
Our pricing model is based on your kWh usage and these components:
- Yearly Consumption kWh
- Unit Price
- Grid Fees
- Basic Fee
- The yearly consumption in kWh is how much electricity you use per year.
- The Unit Price is calculated as cents per kilowatt/hour. At Ostrom, this is the average market cost for energy, with no markups.
- The Grid Fees comprise all taxes and levies that are needed to get electricity from a power plant to your home.
- The Basic Fee is our flat 6€ per month fee at Ostrom. Unlike other providers, we only have this flat fee and do not earn more on your Unit Price.
Example
For example, a unit price of 30 ct/kWh at a yearly consumption rate of 1200 kWh, grid fees of 4€, plus the basic fee of 6€ would calculate a monthly cost of:
- 1200 kWh / 12 months = 100 kWh
- 100 kWh x 30 ct = 30€
- 30€ + 4€ grid fees + 6€ flat fee= 40€
- → 40€ final monthly price (example)
Is there an electricity price guarantee (Preisgarantie)?
Since we pass on the purchase price of electricity to our customers, we cannot guarantee electricity prices. However, this also means that you pay less when electricity prices fall. We plan our prices for the medium to long term and monitor developments on the electricity market very closely.
We calculate an average price accordingly, which can cushion extreme peaks. In the event that we do have to adjust prices, we will inform you at least four weeks in advance — so you always have enough time to react.
See here when we have made our price decreases for all (new and existing) customers:
What is the minimum contract period (Mindestvertragslaufzeit)?
Unlike pretty much every other utility provider, we are against 12 or 24 month lock-in periods. We believe you should never pay for energy you aren't using, that's why we have no minimum contract period.
To cancel, simply just let us know via our app, and we'll cancel it within 14 days (this is to give us time to hand your contract over to the grid properly, and to be sure your home doesn't lose power during that time).
Does Ostrom also provide gas?
We do not provide Gas. As a digital green energy provider, we currently focus only on electricity.
How can I sign up to Ostrom?
Whether you're brand new to Germany or you switch providers every year, signing up to Ostrom is easy!
You just need these three pieces of information:
- Address
Enter your address and house number on our signup form (we have added a Google autocomplete function to make it easier for you). - kWh Consumption
The standard rule of thumb is 1,400 kWh for 1 person, 2,300 kWh for 2 people and so on (we also added these to the form). - Meter Number (Zählernummer)
You'll find your meter number at the top of your old electricity invoice. If you don't have any invoices, you can also find the meter number on your physical electricity meter. The meter is usually in your home by the front door, in the hallway, or in the basement. If you live in an apartment and can't find it, it's best to ask your landlord or your building manager (Hausverwaltung) for details.
What is "kWh" and how much consumption should enter?
kWh stands for kilowatt-hours, and the amount you put here is measured every year. There are 2 ways to find out your consumption amount:
Industry Estimates
The industry standards that we have already added to the signup form are:
1 Person 🙍♂️ = 1400 kWh
2 People 👫 = 2300 kWh
3 People 👩👧👦 = 3000 kWh
4 People 👨👨👧👦 = 3700 kWh
From An Old Invoice
If you have an old invoice, simply find the total kWh from your previous bill. If you didn't have any unique circumstances during that time (like working from home, or a long holiday), then you can use this number
What is a market location number (Marktlokations-ID) and where can I find it?
The market location number (Marktlokations-ID) is an 11-digit number used to identify your electricity meter on the grid.
You can usually find it at the top of your last electricity bill.
Can I also purchase electricity from Ostrom as a business or company?
Yes! We can supply businesses companies with up to 15,000 kWh per year.
Can you cancel my old electricity contract for me?
Switching Providers?
Yes, you don't have to cancel your current electricity contract. We will gladly do that for you.
Moving?
Unfortunately, not in this case. You have to cancel your current electricity contract yourself. Since your registration is tied to a meter number and this number changes when you move, we unfortunately cannot cancel your old contract in this case.
My old provider has increased prices. How can I sign up through the special right of termination (Sonderkündigungsrecht)?
TLDR: In this case, we cannot cancel for your old contract for you but we can assist you in the chat!
If your old electricity provider raises prices, you are entitled to a special right of termination (Sonderkündigungsrecht) in Germany which allows you to terminate your contract prematurely. This comes into effect as soon as your electricity provider has communicated the price increase in writing.
As a rule, this letter will also inform you of the deadline for your special termination right, which is usually two weeks. However, it is best to check this yourself. The exact contract details can be found in the terms and conditions of your contract.
If you want to claim the special termination right and switch to Ostrom, we can not exceptionally terminate for you. In this case, you will have to cancel your old contract yourself. But don't worry, we won't leave you alone! Of course, we will still support you and answer your questions directly in the chat.
Will there be interruptions in the power supply if I want to change my provider?
TLDR: None at all!
Don't worry, your lights will stay on! We'll coordinate the exact timing of the switch with your previous provider. If there are any problems, your default provider will always cover you.
How long does it take to switch?
Here's an example of a timeline to explain it more clearly:
Sign Up
- Jan 1: You sign up to Ostrom
- Jan 1: We contact the grid or your previous provider
- Jan 1-14: Sometimes your old provider responds on the same day, but can take them up to 14 days to reply. Once they reply, your switch will be confirmed.
Start Date
- Depends on your previous minimum contract periods, but you will be automatically switched to Ostrom once that contract is over.
Ostrom starts the process as soon as you sign up, but when you can officially start depends on your previous provider's minimum contract period, the Mindestvertragslaufzeit, which is usually 12-24 months (side note: with us, you can cancel anytime!).
This may mean you’re stuck with your old provider for a while, but don't worry! We sort out everything right away to automate the transition smoothly when the time comes.
You can track the current status of your order at any time in the Ostrom app.
How fast can my contract be confirmed?
So you've decided to switch to Ostrom—congratulations, and thank you! What are the next steps?
In short, two things are going to happen:
- Sign up
After you've signed up, Ostrom contacts the grid + your previous supplier to confirm that you're switching to us. Confirmation from them could happen within 30 minutes, but could also take up to 14 days (because the grid + your ex-supplier have no real incentive to quickly switch you over to us). - In Delivery
When this is confirmed, we must wait for your minimum contract period from your previous supplier to end. Once this ends, a final meter reading will be sent by the grid and you will officially be switched to Ostrom!
And don't worry, no matter how long this takes we'll make sure you have electricity throughout the whole process!
You can track the current status of your order at any time in the Ostrom app.
What happens after my registration with Ostrom is complete?
We'll take over from here! This includes contacting your previous provider to cancel your contract with them. Once we've determined the earliest cancellation date of your current contract, we'll begin the switchover process.
You can track the current status of your order at any time in the Ostrom app.
I'm moving to a new place, how do I go about signing up?
If you have just moved in to a new apartment or house, then you do not have a previous provider.
In this scenario, simply choose Moving In instead of Switch Provider during signup. This way, you only need to provide your meter number (Zählernummer) and your move-in date.
Can I take over my flatmate's contract if they move out?
No, unfortunately, this is not possible.
If your flatmate moves out, the contract must be terminated. You can then easily sign a new contract with us.
What is a handover protocol (Übergabeprotokoll) and what is it for?
A handover protocol (Übergabeprotokoll) is a document that you receive from your landlord, which confirms your tenancy.
In order for us to be able to register you with your grid operator, we may need your handover certificate. This is important so that we can confirm that you are responsible for your electricity contract and no longer your landlord.
What do I have to consider if I move and want to take my electricity contract with me?
Since Ostrom is available throughout Germany, we are of course happy if you stay with us. However, since different network operators also charge different network usage fees, there is a possibility that your electricity costs may change slightly as a result of the move.
When you move, we will need the following information from you:
- Your new meter number
- Your annual consumption (kWh) for this meter
- The desired delivery date (or as soon as possible)
Please feel free to send us an email at hallo@ostrom.de or a message in the live chat.
Where can I find my electricity meter?
Your electricity meter is usually located next to the apartment door, in the hallway or in the basement. If you live in an apartment and can't find the meter, it's best to check with your property manager or landlord
Where is my unique meter ID or meter number (Zählernummer)?
Your meter ID or meter number (Zählernummer) can be easily found on your electricity bill, usually written at the top.
Alternatively, you'll find the meter ID on your physical electricity meter. The meter is usually in your home by the front door, in the hallway, or in the basement. If you live in an apartment and can't find it, it's best to ask your landlord or your building manager (Hausverwaltung) for details.
Do I need a new electricity meter when I switch to Ostrom?
No, you don't need a new electricity meter. Just tell us the meter number and we will do the rest for you.
Unfortunately I mistyped, how can I correct my meter reading typo?
If you made a mistake, just send us an email at hallo@ostrom.de or contact us via our live chat.
What is a meter reading?
We use the meter reading to determine your electricity consumption. For this, we calculate the difference between the last and current meter reading.
For example:
- On January 1, your electricity meter shows 1234 kWh
- On February 1 your electricity meter shows 1345 kWh
- That means your electricity consumption for the month of January is 111 kWh
(1345 kWh - 1234 kWh)
All you have to do is locate your meter and read the numbers, which are in kilowatt hours (kWh).
How do I submit my meter reading to Ostrom?
Simply enter your current meter reading in the Ostrom app under Add Meter Reading.
How can I add a second meter to my contract?
If you want to add a second meter to your account, we can just simply make a second contract for you.
Switching?
Do you want us to cancel the old contract for the new meter for you? If so, please tell us the name of your old supplier.
Moving In?
If it is a move-in, just let us know. We need the following information from you:
- Your new meter number
- Our annual consumption (kWh) for this meter
- The desired delivery date (or as soon as possible)
What should I do if my electricity meter is broken?
Electric meters rarely break. However, if you suspect that your electricity meter is still broken, simply just let us know in the chat or send us an email at hallo@ostrom.de.
Who is responsible for meter readings? Someone knocked on my door and asked for my signature.
As a rule, you read your meter yourself. However, as a supplier, we are in constant contact with your metering point operator, who is responsible for your electricity meter.
If necessary, they will inform us of your meter reading. In addition, we may also estimate your meter reading if we have not received a sufficient meter reading.
⚠️ Warning: Some customers have had scams where someone approaches them for a "meter reading" but actually signs them up to another provider. We have been made aware of this as our customers reach out saying they have not cancelled but received a cancellation email (we can revoke this fake request within 14 days).
Ostrom will never send someone to your door and ask for your signature.
How often do I need to submit my meter reading?
We need your meter reading, the so-called Zählerstand, only 1-2x a year. The first at the start of delivery, the second when we issue the annual invoice.
If you want a better overview of your consumption, feel free to report your meter reading more often. This is all done easily through the Ostrom app!
What is green electricity anyway?
Green electricity is electricity that comes from 100% renewable energy sources. This includes solar, wind and hydro energy.
If you are interested in this topic, then take a look at our blogposts in the category Energy. There we explain the individual forms of energy generation in different posts.
Why choose green electricity?
By switching to Ostrom, you are driving the energy transition in Germany. Currently, the share of renewable energies in the German electricity market is only about 50%, meaning a mix of fossil and green electricity. The electricity from your socket is therefore referred to as "gray".
However, Ostrom only ever feeds electricity from renewable sources into the grid. In addition, your money automatically goes to the promotion and maintenance of renewable energies and generation plants — instead of continuing to support electricity generation from fossil fuels.
Where does Ostrom get its electricity?
We buy directly through our partnerships with green power producers when we can, or in the wholesale market from certified green sources.
Through our several direct power purchasing agreements (Direct PPAs), we not only purchase our electricity directly from the producer but also support the energy transition in Germany as two thirds of the park's electricity generation is sold without EEG surcharges (EEG = German Renewable Energy Sources Act).
What are certificates of origin?
We are certified by TÜV Nord. This guarantee of origin ensures that the electricity from our green power generators and the volume purchased on the wholesale electricity exchange comes entirely from renewable energy sources.
However, there are additional factors to consider. It is best to look for suppliers that purchase electricity from domestic generation plants through power purchase agreements, for example.
What are PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements)?
PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) are a power supply contract between two parties, a power producer and a power purchaser (Ostrom).
Find out more about our energy sources for direct power purchase agreements (PPA) here.
Is Ostrom really green? Where does Ostrom's energy come from?
When you sign up with Ostrom, we don't want you to have to worry whether or not your energy is ACTUALLY green. That's why we only buy 100% green energy from a renewable pool of solar, wind, and hydro sources—absolutely no fossil fuels involved.
On top of that, we've signed an agreement with a solar plant in Treuenbritzen, Brandenburg who will supply us with power. This means you'll be able to point to exactly where your power comes from on a map!
Is green electricity more expensive than conventional electricity?
That is a common misconception. Actually green electricity sources such as solar and wind have been much cheaper than fossil fuel sources like oil and coal per megawatt of production.
This is a trend that has happened in Germany and worldwide. For more information, you can see here.
How does your referral program work?
🤝 Use your referral code to invite friends and family to Ostrom and receive 35€ each!
Once your referral has their contract signup confirmed, we will either send you the money immediately (if you’ve signed up with a SEPA Direct Debit mandate) or deduct it from your half-year or final bill.
After signing up with Ostrom, you will receive an email with your personalized code that you can share with your friends and family. If you can't find the code, we will be happy to help you in our live chat.
After you have registered with us and in the app, you can also see, copy and share your personal code there under Referrals.
To receive the referral payment, a few requirements must be met:
- Your contract must have been in place for at least 2 weeks
- Your contract and the contract of the referred person must be confirmed by the grid operator and the supply must have started
When you receive your payout also depends on the payment method you choose.
What is the Ostrom referral code?
If you invite friends to Ostrom with your referral code, you will both receive 35€. As soon as your two contracts are officially confirmed and delivered, you will receive your bonus.
If you have set up a direct debit (SEPA Mandat), the money will be paid directly to you. Otherwise you will receive the bonus in your semi-annual, annual, or final statement.
How do I get my referral code?
After you sign up with Ostrom, you will receive an email with your personal code that you can share with your friends. If you can't find the code, we will be happy to help you in our live chat.
After you have registered with us and in the app, you can also view your personal code under Referrals.
Can my referral code expire?
Most of the time, no. Feel free to recommend us to as many friends as you like!
However, the code is intended only for those you actually know, and not for the general public. So please do not share it on Ostrom domains such as Google Reviews and Trustpilot Reviews. In such cases we reserve the right to cancel its validity and restore it if you remove the code from those public sites.
How do I get on the Ostrom top referrer list?
It's easy, because it happens automatically! Just share your referral code with your friends or family and you'll get on the leaderboard. In the app, you can view the leaderboard and see where you rank, how many referral codes you've shared, and how much money you've already received.
Best of all, at the end of each quarter we give away one of our great Ostrom hoodies to our top three referrers of the quarter. Feel free to read more about it here in our blog post about our top referrers list.
What does deposit (Abschlag) mean and what do I need to know about it?
The monthly deposit is a monthly billing amount based on your estimated annual electricity consumption.
After 12 months, or when you end your contract, your estimated electricity consumption and your actual electricity consumption will be compared. If you have used less electricity, you will receive a credit, and if you have used more, we will bill you for the amount.
As an Ostrom customer, you can easily monitor your electricity consumption in the Ostrom app and also adjust your monthly deposit.
Download the Ostrom app from the App Store or the Google Play Store.
When exactly does the monthly direct debit take place?
Since we offer flexible monthly contracts, you pay for the current month at the beginning of the following month.
For example, the payment for May is due on the first banking day in June.
How can I adjust my monthly deposit?
You can easily adjust your monthly deposit in the Ostrom app under the menu item Payments.
Note: If you are new to Ostrom, please wait until your contract is confirmed and you are supplied by us before adjusting your deposit.
What payment options does Ostrom offer?
Currently, Ostrom offers two different payment options:
- With a direct debit (SEPA Mandat), you authorize Ostrom to automatically debit the monthly payment from your account.
- Alternatively, you can transfer the monthly payment manually to our bank account.
How can I change my payment method?
You can easily change your payment method in the Ostrom app under Payments → Change Payment Method
If you have problems changing your payment method in the app, please make sure you are using the latest version.
Where can I find my monthly invoice?
There is no monthly invoice. In Germany, the deposit is based on the estimated annual electricity consumption and is due monthly.
After 12 months, or at the time your contract expires, you will receive an invoice with all electricity consumption details. We will settle your excess or shortfall in consumption either in the form of an invoice or a credit note for the difference.
Where can I find my past payments or payment history?
In the Ostrom app under the menu item Payments you can see your past payments as well as invoices.
How is my monthly deposit calculated at Ostrom?
Your monthly consumption is based on the persons living in the household in combination with your address (and the associated network operator) and used to calculate your monthly payment.
Potential deviations (over or underconsumption) will be compensated with the end-of-year invoice. If you feel your monthly balance is not quite right, you can easily adjust it at any time in the Ostrom app, available for both iOS and Android.
You can find more detailed information on the balance and deposit payments in our Terms and Conditions.
What happens if I use more or less electricity than estimated?
When you receive your end-of-year bill or final bill in the event of termination, we compare your actual electricity consumption with the amount you have already paid.
If you have used less than you have paid, you will receive a refund. If you used more than you paid, we will bill you for the difference
Direct Debit (SEPA)
In case you are owed a refund, we will transfer the amount to your account. In case an amount is owed to us, we will deduct this directly from your account
Manual Bank Transfer
If there is a difference to be paid, we will ask you to tell us your bank account details so that we can transfer to or deduct from your account.
Does Ostrom give any discounts, like a Neukundenbonus, Wechselbonus, or Sofortbonus?
Always curious why other energy providers offer you free stuff when you sign up? The industry's dirty little secret is that they know they will find a way to make their money back from you — usually by making it really hard to end your contract, or by raising prices partway through.
This is why we believe that transparency is key. We offer you electricity at cost with a fixed monthly fee, no tiers or tricks (or "free" stuff).
Ostrom Referral Program
If you invite friends to Ostrom with your referral code, you will both receive 35€. As soon as your two contracts are officially confirmed and delivered, you will receive your bonus. If you have set up a SEPA mandate (direct debit), the money will be paid directly to you. Otherwise you will receive the bonus in your semi-annual, annual, or final statement.
How does Ostrom's price compare to other energy providers on price comparison websites?
We offer renewable electricity at cost with no markup. Considering this, we're already cheaper than most providers. Other providers seeming cheaper on price comparison sites is usually due to a Neukund:innenbonus (new client bonus). If you read the fine print, you'll probably find that the monthly rates increase after a certain period, at which time you’re already locked in. But not with Ostrom!
I’ve been billed but can’t see an invoice in the app. Where is my invoice?
In Germany, you're billed monthly based on the amount you set when you signed up to your energy provider. After 12 months, or whenever you cancel, you will receive a PDF invoice detailing your actual consumption. We will then also debit or credit you, depending on your consumption.
Will I receive an interim bill after a price changes or must I check my current meter reading?
You don’t have to check your current meter reading, but you can always submit it via the app or email if you like. An interim bill will not be issued automatically. We will calculate the old and new prices transparently in your next annual bill.
How to cancel your Ostrom contract?
While it would be a shame to see you go, full flexibility is part of our Ostrom promise! Unlike basically every other energy provider, we make it super easy for you to switch out.
- Via App: this is the fastest way to cancel. Download our app for iOS & Android:
Download the Ostrom App
We will send you a confirmation email when we have received your cancellation request.
What is Ostrom's notice period for cancellation?
You can cancel your Ostrom contract at any time with just 14 days notice.
There are no minimum contract period for cancellation with Ostrom.
Do I have to read my meter reading myself after the cancellation or termination of the contract?
Yes, we will need your meter reading for your final invoice.
Simply just use the Ostrom app and enter the meter reading. It takes just 1 minute!
Does Ostrom support smart meter integration?
Support for smart meters is coming soon. We currently do not support smart meters but are currently working on a pilot project to introduce smart metering and a dynamic tariff. This will be ready soon.
You can already join the waiting list and be one of the first to benefit from dynamic pricing!
Do you have an EV / E-Auto tariff?
Not yet, but we are launching it soon in 2023! We have already partnered with wall charging station companies such as Zaptec to enable smart EV charging!
Check the link below to stay updated or to purchase your Zaptec Go wallbox today!
Does Ostrom support heat pumps (Heizestrom)?
We have started to offer contracts for heat pumps and electric heating! If you are interested please sign up via our website ostrom.de and notify us via email at hallo@ostrom.de and we will do the switch for you.
Does Ostrom support HT/NT?
HT/NT stands for Hochtarif and Niedertarif. These meters have two counters which measure the consumption for two different time zones (during the day and during night).
If your meter covers only household electricity, you can simply sign up via our website! If your meter also covers heating please also sign up via our website but also notify us via email at hallo@ostrom.de and we will do the switch for you because our electric heating tariff has just recently been released.
What are the advantages of the Ostrom app?
The Ostrom app makes your electricity consumption transparent for you: keep track of your bills, report your meter readings, change your monthly budget accordingly and check your annual bills—all bundled in one place. By the way: We're constantly optimizing the app and welcome your ideas and suggestions!
Download the app, available on the App Store for iOS and the Play Store for Android.
Where can I find my login data / user credentials?
You set your password with your email when you log in for the first time. We will then send you a confirmation email, so don't worry!
For security reasons, only you can see your login credentials — not even us! So if you forgot your login, simply use the Forgot Password function when logging in to set a new password!
I have forgotten my password. What to do now?
Don't worry, if you have forgotten your password, you can easily change it in the app.
As soon as you have entered your email address when logging in and confirmed it by clicking Next, you have the option to request a new password by clicking Forgot Password?.
You will then receive an email with your new access data.
Where can I download the Ostrom app?
The Ostrom app is available on both iOS and Android! With our app, you can track your energy consumption, toggle your payment amounts, see your CO₂ emissions and more!
How can I change my Ostrom password?
You can easily change your password in the app.
To do so, click on More → Account → Change Password at the bottom-right.
How can I change my personal details?
Just open the app and change your data under the menu item Contract.
Don't worry if it doesn’t sync right away, sometimes it takes a few minutes until the changes are received in our system.
Where can I see the past per kWh prices of Ostrom?
In the app under the menu item
More → Contract → Price Composition → Price Details
you can view your current and past prices in your supply period.
How can I delete my data?
Ostrom treats your data and your privacy with utmost respect. Please send a short email to hallo@ostrom.de and we will support you with this.
How does Ostrom handle my data?
Data privacy and protection is extremely important to us. You can find all information about this in our privacy policy.
How often are prices adjusted?
We monitor the electricity market very closely. We take past prices and forecasts of future developments into account in our analysis.
We do not pass on price peaks directly. We form an average monthly price that corresponds to the current price level.
Any price adjustment is announced four weeks in advance, so the price is valid for at least one month period.
Will my monthly deposit change after a price adjustment?
Your monthly deposit is automatically adjusted when prices change.
You can track the changes in your app. In such cases, we will also inform you by email. If you do not agree with the change, you can adjust your deposit at any time in the app.
Do I get an interim invoice after a price adjustment or do I have to read my meter?
No, you don't have to read your meter reading. Of course, you can enter it in the app at any time if you want to get an even better overview and adjust your monthly deposit accordingly.
An interim statement is not created automatically. Instead, the old and new prices will be calculated proportionately and listed transparently on the next annual invoice.
Do I have a special right of termination in the event of a price change?
In case of a price adjustment, you can cancel your contract at any time without the usual 14-day notice period. Please use the Ostrom app to cancel your contract.
You can simply cancel the contract under More→ Contract
Ostrom only sources green energy. Why does raising gas prices also affect our price?
The merit order effect means that prices across all energy sources are affected by the lower supply. You can read more about the merit order here in our blog.
What is the THG quote (GHG quota)?
The THG quote (Treibhausgas-Quote or Greenhouse Gas Quota) stands for greenhouse gas reduction quota or greenhouse gas ratio and is a government created measure to reduce harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The THG quote describes the proportion of sustainable fuels in relation to the total amount and is therefore expressed as a percentage. Through the THG quote, companies that bring a certain amount of fossil fuels into circulation are obliged to adhere to the required quota (in 2023, this will be around 8%).
It is just one of many measures to achieve climate neutrality by 2045.
For some years now, oil companies have been obliged to offset their CO₂ emissions and to help finance the switch from fossil fuels to electro mobility. Since 2022, owners of electric cars can benefit from this by selling their own THG quote.
Instead of having all the paperwork yourself, you can simply sign up to Ostrom and we can handle this for you. Get up to 345€ back annually through your THG quote with Ostrom!
What happens after I sign up for the THG quote?
After your registration, your data and your vehicle registration certificate will be checked to see if you are eligible for the THG quota. If you are eligible to receive the THG quota, your registration will be sent to the Federal Environment Agency. Once the Federal Environmental Agency has certified your quota, your quota will be pooled with others and traded with major oil companies. Once the trade is completed, your quota will be paid into your bank account within approximately 14 days.
You will be kept informed about the whole process by email. The process from registration to payment of your bonus takes about 12 to 16 weeks.
What does the amount of the THG bonus depend on?
The THG quote is traded in bundles with companies that distribute fuels. Often, these are petroleum companies that must reduce their high THG emissions due to conservation laws.
The quota price depends on the fixed level of penalties and on supply and demand.
Thus, prices per ton of CO₂ are subject to fluctuations. Bonus payouts of between 200 to 350 Euros per electric vehicle (EV) are realistic.
What requirements do I have to meet for the THG quote?
1. You must own an all-electric vehicle (not plug-in hybrid)
2. You must be the owner of the vehicle
3. You must also have a valid vehicle registration certificate
You can register for the THG quote once a year through Ostrom!
Am I supporting oil companies with the THG quote?
Signing up for the THG quota is, of course, voluntary. However, if you do not sign up for the THG quota and do not sell it to petroleum companies, the government can participate in quota trading on your behalf. Thus, not participating in quota trading does not hurt the petroleum companies.
The basic idea of the THG quota is that companies that put CO₂ emitting fuels on the market will have to pay financially for the damage they cause, and the cost of doing so will increase year after year. These rising costs will presumably be passed on more and more to consumer prices for gasoline and diesel in the future. This should ultimately lead to a switch to vehicles that have less to no impact on the environment. The THG quota alone will certainly not solve the climate crisis but it is one of many instruments to promote a transition to e-mobility.