Grüüün, a green electricity provider based in Upper Franconia, is ending nationwide electricity supply to its approximately 200,000 customers effective October 31, 2026. The company announced this withdrawal unexpectedly on October 8. The Münch-Energie Group cites planned changes to energy policy by the federal government as the reason. Customers with long-term electricity contracts and price guarantees of up to ten years are particularly affected; they must now find a new supplier on short notice. Furthermore, they face the prospect of higher electricity costs, while the legality of the early contract terminations remains disputed.
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Green electricity provider terminates contracts despite ten-year price guarantee
Grüüün is part of Münch Energie GmbH & Co. KG, based in Rugendorf, Bavaria. The provider launched in late 2024 and gained over 200,000 customers in just under two years. The company marketed itself by offering electricity from renewable sources and long-term price guarantees. Plans featuring a guaranteed energy price for up to ten years were particularly attractive; however, these guarantees did not cover all components of the electricity price.
The business model relied heavily on generating electricity from the corporate group’s own wind and solar installations. This strategy was intended to allow Grüüün to offer electricity at predictable rates over the long term. However, this required sufficient generation capacity and reliable investment conditions. Management now believes this foundation is at risk, meaning customers may lose the price benefits previously agreed upon.
Green electricity provider blames federal government for withdrawal
Grüüün cites the planned reform of the Renewable Energy Sources Act and the so-called “grid package” as the primary reasons for its decision. Both initiatives fall under the purview of Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche. According to the company, the planned changes hinder the further expansion of renewable energy. Consequently, the Münch-Energie-Gruppe states it will be unable to generate sufficient additional green electricity as originally planned.
However, the Bundestag has not yet passed the reforms in question, meaning the relevant legal framework could still change. Nevertheless, the green electricity provider is already halting its nationwide electricity supply. In its reporting, the Zeitung für kommunale Wirtschaft also points to the risks associated with the company’s long-term procurement strategy. It remains unclear, therefore, whether the announced policy changes alone account for the withdrawal.
Contract terminations with only 23 days’ notice
The short notice given to customers is particularly problematic. Grüüün notified the first consumers of the impending end to service on October 8, leaving just 23 days until October 31. Yet many electricity contracts stipulate minimum terms of 12 or 24 months. Furthermore, notice periods of at least one month often apply.
The consumer portal Finanztip therefore considers these short-notice contract terminations legally questionable. In principle, an electricity provider is not permitted to prematurely terminate existing contracts without a valid legal basis. Nor does a long-term price guarantee automatically lapse simply because of a corporate decision. Affected customers can therefore object to the termination and insist on the fulfillment of the contract, although any potential claims for damages would depend on the specific circumstances of each case. Power supply remains secure – risk of higher costs
Despite the announced halt in supply, customers need not fear a power outage. The Energy Industry Act guarantees continued electricity supply even if a current supplier fails. Consequently, the local default supplier takes over the supply if no new contract is in place. Depending on the specific circumstances, this initially occurs under the “substitute supply” arrangement. However, the rates applicable in this scenario can be significantly higher than the previous tariff.
Consumers should therefore compare new offers and keep their existing contract documents safe. It is also advisable to document the meter reading at the time supply ends. Anyone who suspects an invalid termination can object in writing. A new supply contract can help limit additional costs, while any potential claims against Grüüün must be assessed separately. Existing credit balances must also be taken into account in the final bill.
Federal Network Agency apparently not notified on time
A statement from the Federal Network Agency has sparked further criticism. According to Finanztip, Grüüün had not notified the agency of its plan to cease supply operations by October 9. Under Section 5, Paragraph 2 of the Energy Industry Act, providers are generally required to announce such a decision three months in advance. However, the law allows for exceptions, particularly in cases of insolvency. Insolvency as the reason for the withdrawal has not yet been confirmed.
This marks the end of the nationwide retail business less than two years after its launch. The immediate impact falls on approximately 200,000 consumers who must now make new arrangements for their energy supply. A particularly serious consequence is the potential loss of long-term price guarantees. At the same time, the situation highlights the economic risks associated with such contracts; even multi-year price commitments do not reliably protect customers if a supplier fails to meet its supply obligations.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: Verbraucherschutzforum (10.10.26) – Finanztipp (09.10.26) – ZfK (09.10.26) – taz (09.10.26)