Information - Services - Formalities by subjects - Business start-up preparations - Companies subject to licensing and monitoring requirements - Electricity and gas networks; application for approval of network charges, classification as a closed distribution network, or implementation of an abuse procedure - Dienstleistungsportal Bayern

Description

The state regulatory authorities, together with the Federal Network Agency in Bonn, are responsible for regulating the electricity and gas supply networks in order to create the conditions for fair competition in the supply of electricity and gas.

In Bavaria, the tasks of the state regulatory authority have been performed independently by the "Regulatory Chamber of the Free State of Bavaria" since February 1, 2013. As the electricity and gas supply networks constitute a so-called natural monopoly, the regulatory authorities have the task of providing all market participants with unhindered access to the networks and creating the conditions for safe, reliable and efficient network operation.

In particular, the regulatory authorities are responsible for the following tasks:

• Setting revenue caps (electricity and gas)
  
  With the start of incentive regulation on 01.01.2009, the obligation to approve charges for the use of electricity and gas distribution networks on a cost basis that existed until then was abolished. The system of incentive regulation is based on a nationwide efficiency comparison aimed at creating incentives for more efficient service provision by network operators. To this end, starting on January 1, 2009, network operators will be given calendar-year upper limits for the total permissible revenue from network charges (known as revenue caps). The network operators automatically convert the revenue caps into charges for access to the energy supply networks and publish them on their websites.
  The procedures for determining revenue caps are initiated ex officio by the state regulatory authority. For networks for which sufficient cost data for the nationwide efficiency comparison are not yet available (e.g., newly established networks, former plant networks), network charges are approved for a transitional period and must be applied for.
  
• Monitoring of unbundling regulations (so-called unbundling)
  
  Unbundling means managing network operations separately from other energy industry activities (generation, sales).
  
• Abuse proceedings, in particular if an operator of an energy supply network fails to meet its legal obligations or otherwise abuses its market position
  
• Classification of so-called closed distribution networks
  
  The existence of a closed distribution network is subject to strict conditions.

Procedure

• for the determination of revenue caps: no application required, procedure is initiated ex officio by the state regulatory authority
• for approval of network charges: application in accordance with § 23a of the Energy Industry Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz)
• for classification as a closed distribution network: informal application
• for the implementation of an abuse procedure: informal application

Special notes

The Regulatory Chamber of the Free State of Bavaria, as the state regulatory authority, is responsible for regulating network operators to whose networks fewer than 100,000 customers are directly or indirectly connected and whose networks do not extend beyond the territory of Bavaria. In this regard, the governments support the regulatory chamber of the Free State of Bavaria.

The Federal Network Agency is responsible for operators of extra-high voltage and long-distance networks and for distribution networks with more than 100,000 directly or indirectly connected customers, as well as for transnational distribution networks.

Deadlines

Approval of network charges: Approval must be applied for in writing at least six months before the date on which the charges are to take effect (Section 23a (3) Sentence 1 of the Energy Industry Act).

Required documents

• for the approval of network charges: cost statements
• for monitoring the provisions on unbundling: submission of an equal treatment programme and report pursuant to section 8(5) sentence 2 of the Energy Act
• for classification as a closed distribution network: submission of data on the network structure and connected customers in accordance with section 110(3) of the EnWG

Fees

• Fees are incurred for the determination of revenue caps, approval of network charges, decisions in abuse proceedings, and classification as a closed distribution network; the respective amounts are based on the administrative effort required and the economic significance of the matter. The minimum fee for abuse proceedings is 5,000 euros.

Legal bases

• Gesetz über die Elektrizitäts- und Gasversorgung (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz - EnWG)
• Verordnung über die Entgelte für den Zugang zu Gasversorgungsnetzen (Gasnetzentgeltverordnung - GasNEV)
• Verordnung über den Zugang zu Elektrizitätsversorgungsnetzen (Stromnetzzugangsverordnung - StromNZV)
• Verordnung über den Zugang zu Gasversorgungsnetzen (Gasnetzzugangsverordnung - GasNZV)
• Verordnung über die Anreizregulierung der Energieversorgungsnetze (Anreizregulierungsverordnung - ARegV)
• Verordnung über die Entgelte für den Zugang zu Elektrizitätsversorgungsnetzen (Stromnetzentgeltverordnung - StromNEV)

Links to more information

• Regulierungskammer des Freistaates Bayern

  Entgelte für die Nutzung von Strom- und Gasnetzen, Netzentgelte, Netzzugang, Entflechtung (Unbundling), Missbrauchsverfahren bzgl. Energienetze, Objektnetze

• Bundesnetzagentur für Elektrizität, Gas, Telekommunikation, Post und Eisenbahn