Schools concerned about financial ‘challenges' at major energy provider
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Loading... - Reeta Korhonen
- 14 Oct 2022
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Schools and local authorities have sounded the alarm after one of the Netherlands’ largest energy suppliers said it was facing ‘huge challenges’ as a result of soaring gas prices.
De Vrije Energie Partij (DVEP), which provides energy for 80% of schools and 35% of municipalities, has stopped taking on new customers and has not sent any invoices since May, several customers have told the FD.
The PO Council, which represents the interests of primary schools, said hundreds of schools had raised concerns about the backlog in payments and invoices. Schools have also complained about difficulties contacting the company in recent months.
‘It’s unfortunate, because there’s a lot of unrest at the moment,’ said a spokesman. ‘Schools that cancelled their contracts with Gazprom because of the sanctions against Russia have found it difficult to find a new supplier. They can do without more problems.’
The University of Amsterdam (UvA), which has a contract with DVEP until 2023, said it had been told the company was not currently renewing contracts. ‘
At the moment we are expecting the gas bill to go up from €1.7 million a year to around €5 million, depending on movements in the market. This is a big setback,’ said Jan Lintsen, vice-chairman of the university’s executive board. Read More...
