Brønderslev residents outraged by sudden 10% increase in district heating prices

Residents of Brønderslev are expressing outrage after a sudden announcement from Brønderslev Forsyning revealed a 10% increase in district heating prices effective October 1st. This increase comes with only one day’s notice, and another hike of 34% is anticipated in the new year.

Mette Hjørringgaard Saksager, a local customer, described the situation as a shock for her family, which now faces the challenge of covering extra expenses for heating. “It’s an additional cost for us each year,” she remarked, contemplating using their wood stove more often to save on heating bills.

For an average household in Brønderslev, which consumes about 18.1 MWh annually, the increase will translate to roughly an additional 400 kroner per month or nearly 5,000 kroner annually. However, Mette expressed confusion over the necessity of such a steep price hike and questioned why Brønderslev Forsyning did not address the issue sooner.

Company director, Lasse Riisgaard, acknowledged that the utility had benefited from low heating prices for the past decade and regrets the impact on residents. He clarified that it was only after the mid-year financial report in August that the company realized there were serious issues, including a calculation error regarding the amount of wood chips needed for heating.

The overall deficit of approximately eight million kroner stems from rising fuel prices, decreased electricity earnings for the district heating plant, and sharp increases in wood chip prices. Brønderslev Forsyning is obligated to recover these costs by 2025. As winter approaches, Mette and her family anticipate a colder season, as they plan to lower their heating slightly to save on expenses while also considering the impact on their indoor climate.