Surcharge for special grid utilisation / StromNEV levy

The ordinance on grid charges (StromNEV) allows final consumers to apply for individual grid charges in accordance to § 19 Section 2 Sentences 1 and 2 StromNEV. Likewise, § 118 (6) sentence 9 EnWG provides an exemption from grid charges for, i.e. plants that produce hydrogen through water electrolysis. The transmission system operators are obliged to reimburse operators of electricity distribution networks for their lost revenues resulting from individual grid charges or exemptions from grid charges. Furthermore, transmission system operators are obliged to compensate each other for the lost revenues. In accordance to § 19 StromNEV Section 2 Sentence 7 lost revenues are apportioned to all final consumers (LV)following §§26, 28 and 30 KWKG (combined heat and power act) and §§ 21, 45, 46 EnFG (energy financing act).

In accordance with the BNetzA determination BK8-24-001-A, distribution system operators that are particularly affected by the integration of renewable energy systems can receive financial compensation for the additional costs incurred in accordance with the provisions of the determination. These total costs are apportioned to all final consumers (LV) as surcharge for special grid utilisation following §§26, 28 and 30 KWKG 2016 (combined heat and power act) and §§ 21, 45, 46 EnFG (energy financing act).

Important note: The provisional transmission grid fees for 2026 were calculated taking into account a subsidy for the proportional financing of transmission grid costs. These are included in the calculation of grid fees at lower grid levels and thus have a direct impact on the determination of lost revenues in accordance with Section 19 of the German Electricity Network Access Ordinance (StromNEV). This subsidy of €6.5 billion was approved by the German federal government and is to be financed from the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF) and enshrined in law in the new Section 24c of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG). At the time of publication, the law on the subsidy for transmission grid costs for 2026 has not yet been passed. Therefore, the provisional grid fees and thus also the surcharge for special grid usage are published subject to the proviso that the legal regulation is passed in the parliamentary process. If there is no legal certainty by December 5, 2025, it can be assumed that the final nationwide transmission grid fees and the surcharge for special grid usage for 2026 will increase accordingly.

The surcharge for special grid utilisation for 2026 will be charged to end consumers as from 01st January 2026.

Year	Consumption category A’ (ct/kWh)	Consumption category B’ (ct/kWh)	Consumption category C’ (ct/kWh)	Consumption category § 21 EnFG
2026	1.559 ct/kWh	0.050 ct/kWh	0.025 ct/kWh	0.000 ct/kWh

For electricity storage systems, charging points and storage gases, the surcharge for special grid utilisation will be limited in accordance with the provisions of § 19 (2) StromNEV in conjunction with §21 EnFG as amended.

Further information concerning surcharge for special grid utilisation can be found on the common German TSOs’ website.

More information on grid charges you can find here.

For further queries regarding the surcharge for special grid utilisation, please contact us: liaM-E

Consumption categories according to § 19 StromNEV in conjunction with §§ 26, 28 and 30 KWK-G and §21 EnFG

Consumption category A’:

End users pay for their annual consumption at one delivery point for the first 1,000,000 kWh/year the surcharge for special grid utilisation which is reported in the table above.

Consumption category B’:

End users electricity consumption above 1,000,000 kWh/year of consumers that do not belong to consumer category C’. Consumers of this category pay for consumption above 1,000,000 kWh/year the reduced surcharge for special grid utilisation which is reported in the table above.

Consumption category C’:

End users electricity consumption above 1,000,000 kWh/year of end users belonging to the manufacturing industry, rail-bound traffic or railway infrastructure with annual consumption leading to electricity expenses of more than 4% of the total turnover of the previous business year. Consumers of this category pay for consumption above 1,000,000 kWh/year the reduced surcharge for special grid utilisation which is reported in the table above.

Consumption category § 21 EnFG:

Electricity volumes of end users who claim a privilege in accordance with Section 21 (1-5) EnFG (electricity storage, charging points and storage gas).