German power grid operators plan increase in network fees

Oct 18, 2012 - Electricity prices in Germany may skyrocket next year as most power grid operators plan to increase network fees by up to 23% at the start of 2013, on top of the higher renewable energy levy, power supplier Lichtblick said on Wednesday.

The power operators attributed the rise to the increased volume of electricity from wind and solar power fed into the grid.

The average increase for a household with 3,000 kW/h annual consumption will be nearly 10%, by far more than expected.
The average fee rise of 10% means an increase of EUR 0.005 (USD 0.006) in the electricity price for end consumers.
Lichtblick chief Heiko von Tschischwitz criticised the policy of power operators saying that they are taking advantage from discussions on the reform of the Renewable Energy Act which is in the focus of public debates.

Electricity suppliers will be most likely unable to offset the rise in both the levy and network fees and will pass it on to end customers, Hildegard Mueller, head of the Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) said earlier this week.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.309)

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