Important draft specification of the Federal Network Agency ⚡🔋

On 15 May 2024, the BNetzA published a draft in accordance with Section 29 para. 1 in conjunction with Section 21 para. 3 sentence 4 no. 3 h) and i), sentence 5 EnWG. § Section 21 para. 3 sentence 4 no. 3 h) and i), sentence 5 EnWG, the BNetzA published the draft for the appropriate determination of the distribution of additional costs from the integration of renewable energies (Ref.: BK8-24/001-A). This step is crucial in order to distribute the costs more fairly across all electricity consumers and to reduce the grid fees in regions with a strong expansion of renewable energies. 💡 Background The electricity distribution grids are being expanded and digitalised in order to transport locally generated renewable electricity more efficiently. This grid expansion leads to additional costs that vary from region to region, as wind turbines are mainly installed and operated in the north and large ground-mounted photovoltaic systems are mainly installed and operated in rural regions. 📊 Key points of the draft specification: 1️⃣ Identification of affected grid operators To identify grid operators with high grid expansion costs, the BNetzA proposes a key figure based on the renewable generation capacity connected to the grid in relation to the consumption load in the grid area. What is new compared to the key issues paper published in December 2023 is that the feed-back from downstream grids of third-party grid operators is now also included in the calculation of the key figure in order to increase the individual key figures. 2️⃣ Step-by-step model for cost distribution If the key figure of a grid operator exceeds the threshold value of 2 to be defined, the additional burden is distributed nationwide. 90% of the determined additional costs can be passed on. This would reduce the grid fees of the affected grid operators by up to 39%. 3️⃣ Financial relief and compensation The relieved grid operators receive financial compensation for the additional burden. The costs for this can be distributed evenly across all electricity consumers nationwide through a small increase in the § 19 StromNEV levy ("§ 19 levy"). An average household (3,500 kWh/a) would incur additional costs of around EUR 21 per year. 🚀 What does this mean? Currently, 26 grid operators would be entitled to pass on their additional costs. The greatest relief is expected in Brandenburg, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony-Anhalt. 📅 Next steps: The draft specification is currently still being discussed. The BNetzA intends to issue the determination on the appropriate distribution of additional costs in this quarter. It should enter into force on 1 January 2025 at the earliest. 👉 The draft specification is available as a link in the commentary.