As of: March 7, 2024, 5:35 p.m
By: Max Schäfer
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The Federal Network Agency makes suggestions on how the costs of the energy transition will be distributed.
Consumer advocates are calling for “social differentiation”.
Munich – The energy transition is a major project.
In view of climate change, Germany is expanding renewable energies.
The power grid must therefore be adjusted to the increased demand, for example from electric cars.
In addition, less and less natural gas should be burned in order to reduce CO₂ emissions.
The network is also being restructured.
Converting the networks will be expensive.
The Federal Network Agency has now drawn up proposals as to how the costs can be distributed fairly among as many parties as possible.
So far, the regions that are driving the energy transition forward are paying more.
“No excessive network fees”: Consumer advocates comment on the network agency’s plan
Consumer advocates warn that costs for customers should be kept as low as possible.
The conversion must be designed in such a way that “consumers do not have to pay excessive network fees in the future,” says Thomas Engelke from the Federal Association of Consumer Advocates.
The expansion of renewable energies is increasing costs for electricity network operators.
(Archive photo) © Christian Charisius/dpa
As part of the reform of network fees, the Federal Network Agency plans to examine the electricity network where the costs of the energy transition are relatively high.
The burden should ultimately be distributed nationwide and the network operator should be compensated for the additional burden.
Consumer advocates welcome the approach.
Consumer advocates are calling for “social staggering” of the costs of the energy transition
However, consumer advocates still see a need for action when it comes to fees for the gas network.
They are calling for a discussion about financing part of the costs through taxes.
“This would ensure a certain social differentiation and corresponding financial relief for low-income households,” explains the association in a statement.
The consumer advocates are also calling on the Federal Network Agency to also include users of the network used for hydrogen through a special levy.
When it comes to gas, the agency expects that part of the gas network will be dismantled as a consequence of the energy transition.
The network agency wants to prevent the dwindling number of gas users from bearing the costs alone.
The network operators should therefore set aside money.
This means that as many customers as possible bear the costs.
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