On 26 February 2026, Baden-Württemberg's Minister for Consumer Protection Peter Hauk hosted an expert discussion on the EU Citizens Energy Package. Part of the exchange included the presentation and discussion of the ConPolicy study on energy consumer rights. In addition to Minister Hauk and ConPolicy Managing Director Prof. Dr Christian Thorun, the discussion was attended by Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER), Prof. Dr Andrea Wechsler (MdEP), Viola Rocher (BDEW) and Thomas Bobinger (vzbv/BEUC).
In his presentation of the study, Prof. Dr. Thorun emphasised the importance of consumers for the success of the energy transition. Consumers make a double contribution here: on the one hand, they play an important role as investors in PV systems, battery storage, heat pumps and wall boxes. They are turning from pure consumers into prosumers. On the other hand, by making their own energy consumption more flexible, they play a central role in stabilising the grid, cushioning peak loads and reducing costs.
The necessary conditions must be created to enable consumers to fulfil their dual role. Based on the study results, Prof. Dr. Thorun emphasised that the conditions for an active consumer role are currently not in place in Germany. With regard to the spread of smart meters, dynamic electricity tariffs and independent comparison portals, there are still serious shortcomings. He also stressed that consumer orientation has so far been understood in a rather exclusive manner. The focus is primarily on homeowners and tech-savvy consumer groups. Low-income earners, tenants and vulnerable groups hardly benefit from prosuming.
He therefore recommended designing incentive structures (e.g. with regard to grid fees) in a socially equitable manner, placing a stronger focus on collective energy infrastructures and systematically addressing the issue of energy poverty.
More information on the study can be found here.