DORTMUND (dpa-AFX) - The new regulation for the fairer distribution of electricity grid expansion costs will result in an increase in grid fees of a good 0.9 cents per kilowatt hour for all electricity customers in the coming year. This is the result of the publication of the transmission system operators' new levy rates for 2025. According to the comparison portal Verivox, this increase would result in additional annual costs of just under €44 for an annual consumption of 4,000 kilowatt hours. "However, whether and to what extent the electricity suppliers pass on the cost increases to their customers is at the discretion of the respective supplier," explained the portal.

The grid fees are a charge for the use of the electricity grids. They are made up of various components. All electricity consumers pay them as part of their electricity bill. The costs for the expansion of the respective distribution grids as part of the energy transition are also financed from these fees. In the past, this had led to grid fees being higher in regions with a strong expansion of green electricity than in other regions. The new regulation now provides for the additional costs to be distributed across all regions. According to the Federal Network Agency, there were 866 distribution system operators in Germany in mid-2023.

Verivox: High electricity procurement costs play an important role for suppliers

Verivox emphasized the importance of electricity procurement costs in determining final electricity prices. "Suppliers who have made expensive, long-term purchases during the energy crisis will probably have to pass on these price increases directly, while other suppliers can react more flexibly," explained Verivox energy expert Thorsten Storck.

The Federal Network Agency already announced a week ago how the new regulation will reduce costs in the regions concerned with a strong increase in wind energy and solar installations. For an annual consumption of 3,500 kilowatt hours, this results in cost savings of more than 200 euros per year in some cases. Authority President Klaus Müller had called on suppliers to pass these benefits on to customers./tob/DP/jha