Key German energy associations see pros and cons in planned grid fee reforms for batteries

Several associations have praised the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) for showing itself open to the arguments of the energy industry during the so-called “AgNes” process. The agency has now presented its preliminary interim report on the reform of the General Grid Fee System for Electricity (AgNes), and energy associations view the proposals as a mixed bag.

There is much praise, for example, for the planned investment protection for energy storage projects that are commissioned by August 4, 2029, at the latest, provided a robust investment decision was made before the AgNeS determinations come into effect. For these projects, the existing grid fee exemption is set to apply for up to 20 years from commissioning.

“The lack of investment protection would have led to a growing flexibility gap. It is good that this gap can now hopefully be kept small and that energy storage systems in all technologies can make their contribution,” explained Thomas Speidel, president of the German Energy Storage Systems Association (BVES) and CEO of ADS-TEC Energy.

Ursula Heinen-Esser, president of the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), takes a similar view. “The protection of legitimate expectations for investments made is a prerequisite for the ramp-up of the urgently needed flexibility technologies and for the energy transition as a whole. We therefore expressly welcome this decision.”

Prosumer surcharge slows down solar expansion Like other industry bodies, the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar) is unhappy with a planned increase in the base price for prosumers. According to BSW-Solar’s calculations, this could cost prosumers up to €150 per year. The association argues this would significantly burden solar array operators while failing to create any incentives for the grid-supportive use of battery storage systems.

With the help of batteries, solar roofs do not create any additional need for grid expansion, the association noted. If electrical consumers such as EVs or heat pumps are incorporated, the combination of solar systems and battery storage could even allow the existing grid infrastructure to be utilized more efficiently, actively reducing the need for grid expansion through prosuming.

Carsten Körnig, managing director of BSW-Solar, warned that these and other measures have the potential to massively slow down the expansion of solar energy in Germany. “This clearly contradicts the will of the citizens and the agreed government targets,” Körnig said.

The plans are particularly problematic given that costs for solar operators have already risen due to other regulatory requirements—such as the mandatory financial participation in the rollout of smart metering systems and the canceled remuneration during periods of negative electricity prices.

The Association of Energy Market Innovators (BNE) argues along similar lines. It states that the mandatory base price for low-voltage customers, combined with a prosumer surcharge, sets the wrong incentives: while plug-in balcony solar devices would be spared, traditional rooftop systems would face additional burdens. This promotes smaller systems or those designed for zero export, weakening overall market integration, according to the bne. The prosumer surcharge, which accounts for around 60% to 70% of grid fees, acts as an investment hurdle, especially since the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is simultaneously looking to abolish the feed-in tariff.

Dynamic energy prices require grid digitalization

The BEE expressly welcomes the fact that the Federal Network Agency wants to postpone the introduction of dynamic feed-in grid fees until 2032 at the earliest. While dynamic energy prices for hydropower, bioenergy, or even for storage systems can actually incentivize flexibility and grid-supportive behavior if designed correctly, they threaten investment security in wind and photovoltaic projects, the BEE emphasized.

According to the association, before introducing dynamic pricing, it is absolutely essential to sufficiently digitalize the grids to enable the necessary communication processes and ensure a high level of spatial detail. Otherwise, there is a risk of price-distorting effects. The existing grid infrastructure, it noted, can mostly not map local market developments precisely enough, making reliable economic calculation of the dynamic prices impossible.

From pv magazine Germany.