E.ON has more green electricity in its German distribution grids than end-customers can use. On average it is almost some percent more than the actual electricity sales via the grids of Avacon, Bayernwerk, E.DIS and Schleswig-Holstein Netz. The excess electricity that cannot be distributed to customers in the operator’s own network areas is fed into the gird of the transmission system operators.
E.ON’s grid operators therefore have an important role to play in the energy transition. This is also supported by the detailed figures published by the four companies for the first time today. The information made available on the websites of the E.ON grid operators underlines the efficiency and expertise with which E.ON drives the energy transition in Germany.
Close to 95 percent of all generation facilities in Germany funded under the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) are connected to distribution grids. If they generate more green electricity than the grids can absorb, some of the facilities have to be shut down. The operators nonetheless receive a feed-in tariff. In addition there are what is known as avoided grid charges, which are either credited to the plant operators feeding into grids for not using the upstream transmission infrastructure or paid into EEG pot for plants subsidized under the Renewable Energies Act.
The costs associated with avoided network charges and feed-in management are reflected in the figures published today. They are part of the revenue cap, which for E.ON amounts to about €4.5 billion in the electricity market. The revenue cap, which is approved by the Federal Network Agency, the German regulator, allows grid operators to cover their costs.
From February 21st on, the Federal Network Agency will publish online figures for other grid operators in Germany.