Although the electricity network operators receive financial support, consumers will have to pay an average of eleven percent more for use in 2024. The network fees for gas, on the other hand, are falling – but the costs are still rising.
Despite billions in subsidies from the federal government, network fees for electricity will rise significantly in the coming year. According to preliminary information from the network operators, the nationwide average is climbing by eleven percent, as the comparison portal Check24 announced today. For a model household with a consumption of 5,000 kilowatt hours, the electricity costs increase on average by 425 to 472 euros per year.
Biggest price jumps in the south
The federal government had agreed to extend the state subsidization of electricity prices via the nationwide uniform fees for the transmission networks. 5.5 billion euros are available for this from the Economic Stabilization Fund (WSF). The four transmission system operators 50Hertz, Amprion, Tennet and Transnet BW plan to increase their fees by two percent. The reason: cost increases due to the expansion and stabilization of the network.
In addition to the costs for the transmission networks of the four major operators, the network fees consist of the fees for measurements and measuring point operation as well as the locally different fees for the distribution networks. Taken together, they account for almost a quarter of the electricity price for households. These are charged a higher percentage of network fees than industry.
According to Check24, the biggest price increases at the turn of the year are likely to be in the south. According to preliminary information from the distribution network operators, an increase in network fees of 17 percent (66 euros) can be expected in Bavaria. This means that households will pay an average of 451 euros per year in the future. Previously, only people in Bremen had paid less (310 euros). There, too, network fees are now increasing by 50 euros (16 percent). The average cost of using the electricity grid in North Rhine-Westphalia (69 euros) will also rise by 17 percent.
Particularly expensive in eastern and northern German states
However, network fees are particularly high where many wind power and solar systems have been built in the recent past. Because with renewable energies, the power grid infrastructure had to be expanded with a lot of money, which the operators financed through higher fees.
The eastern and northern German states are particularly affected. In the future, consumers will pay the most in Schleswig-Holstein with an average of 595 euros – even though fees only increase by two percent. In Brandenburg (minus 27 euros) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (minus ten euros) they are actually falling. Nevertheless, the federal states are in second and third place for the highest network fees. People from Hamburg also have to pay more than 500 euros per year.
The price of electricity on the stock exchange has recently fallen significantly. Last month, according to Check24, an average of 86 euros per megawatt hour was due – after 152 euros in October 2022. Consumers can also benefit from this: According to the comparison portal, customers of alternative providers are currently paying 51 percent less than last year. Basic services, on the other hand, are currently an average of 19 percent more expensive. Therefore, a change could definitely be worthwhile, write the experts.
Network fees for gas are falling
Meanwhile, a slight decline in network fees is expected for gas. “One reason for this is the standardized fees charged by the transmission system operators,” explained Steffen Suttner, Managing Director of Energy at Check24. In addition, slightly decreasing surcharges would be passed on to consumers. A model household with a consumption of 20,000 kilowatt hours of gas paid an average of 391 euros for network use in 2023. Next year it will be 385 euros (minus six euros).
While network usage fees remain unchanged in Baden-Württemberg and Saxony, they fall the most in Hamburg from 406 euros to 320 euros. That’s 21 percent lower costs. In Berlin, network fees are also falling comparatively sharply: on average by 14 percent or 49 euros.
In Saarland, network fees will rise by seven percent next year, bucking the trend. A model household in Saarland will pay an average of 31 euros more in 2024 than in 2023. In Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein, fees for the gas network are also rising, but comparatively low.
Not all households benefit
However, people still have to prepare for higher gas costs overall. On the one hand, the federal government decided to increase the currently reduced VAT on natural gas from seven to 19 percent from the beginning of the year. On the other hand, the CO2 price that has to be paid for refueling and heating will be increased at the same time. In return, the traffic light coalition plans to extend the price caps for electricity and gas until April. But according to Check24 calculations, this hardly relieves people.
A model household with seven percent VAT and a price cap would have gas costs of an average of 2,355 euros per year until April. These costs then rise due to the VAT of 19 percent to 2,619 euros annually. That’s 264 euros per year. Minus the gas price brake (minus 64 euros), additional costs of an average of 200 euros remain compared to the current prices.
“Customers who are on the expensive basic supply tariffs continue to benefit from the extension of the energy price brakes,” said Suttner. The brakes gave them a false sense of security because they could actually get significantly cheaper rates. The savings potential for gas when switching is currently at a record level.
With information from Till Bücker, ARD financial editorial team.