As part of the AgNes process, the Federal Network Agency has submitted its draft proposal for the future framework governing electricity grid charges. The reform is intended to replace key parts of the Electricity Grid Charges Ordinance, which is due to expire at the end of 2028. The Monopolies Commission welcomes this reorientation. However, in terms of utilising existing flexibility, the draft falls short of the Federal Network Agency’s previous considerations and the Monopolies Commission’s proposals.
The Monopolies Commission views the proposed separation between the financing of grid costs and the management of grid usage behaviour positively. Static tariff components are better suited to reliable financing. Variable energy prices, on the other hand, should specifically reward behaviour that benefits the grid. The planned dynamic charges for storage facilities and generators are a step in the right direction.
However, the Monopolies Commission is critical of the fact that the Federal Network Agency is, for the time being, completely ruling out dynamic network charges for consumers, which would incentivise more flexible consumption that benefits the grid. Last year, the Monopolies Commission proposed offering voluntary time-variable tariffs more widely in the short term and, in the long term, introducing a quarter-hourly active power price that reflects the expected local grid utilisation.
The AgNes draft bill contains important reform measures, but further work is needed on dynamic grid charges for consumers
Today, the system rewards behaviour that pushes the grids to their limits. Flexible consumers can reduce their electricity consumption during periods of grid congestion and shift it to another time. This reduces grid congestion and redispatch costs, which are ultimately borne by everyone through grid charges. As recently as May 2026, the Federal Network Agency held out the prospect of a further development of grid tariffs, including an opt-in for low-voltage consumers from 2027 onwards. The draft regulation now lacks any binding implementation roadmap. The Federal Network Agency should set out a concrete timetable, pilot projects and a phased roll-out of dynamic network charges, including for small consumers. Dynamic network charges and smart meters go hand in hand. A binding implementation roadmap would also increase the pressure to accelerate the roll-out of smart meters.
From the Monopolies Commission’s perspective, the draft remains insufficiently binding with regard to storage facilities and generators. Under the draft, dynamic grid tariffs are to be introduced for storage facilities between 2030 and 2033 and for generators between 2032 and 2035. Whilst the long-term objective is thus established, the specific design, regional breakdown and implementation of the charges are deferred until a later methodological decision. With regard to industrial network charges, the future special network charge for flexible companies is also subject to a later methodological decision. The band load privilege for existing companies will continue until the end of 2031, even though it hinders flexible consumption behaviour. At the same time, capacity-based financing charges are planned for generators and grid-connected storage facilities. However, capacity-related charges do not take into account whether a facility places a load on or relieves the grid at a particular location and at a specific point in time. The Monopolies Commission had instead proposed a locally and temporally differentiated active power price, which is revenue-neutral in terms of expected value and serves solely as an incentive. Greater participation by prosumers in grid costs is also fundamentally correct. However, a flat-rate surcharge of 70 to 90 per cent on the base price does not adequately take into account connection capacity, generation profile and actual grid load.
The AgNes draft is a good starting point, but it needs to be made more binding with regard to dynamic grid tariffs. The Federal Network Agency should set out a concrete implementation roadmap for consumers and determine the methods for storage facilities, generators and flexible industrial enterprises at an early stage.
The Federal Network Agency has laid important foundations for an improved grid tariff system. However, the draft remains too hesitant when it comes to dynamic grid tariffs. These are not due to be introduced for storage facilities until 2030 at the earliest, and for generators until 2032 at the earliest. There is no binding implementation date for consumers. Behaviour that benefits the grid must be rewarded, including for households. The final regulations should therefore include earlier and binding deadlines for consumers, storage facilities and generators.
