en.Wedoany.com Reported - The German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has presented a preliminary concept for a new general electricity network fee system (AgNes), marking an important signal for investor confidence in offshore wind power. The German Offshore Wind Energy Association (BWO) welcomed this draft, particularly endorsing the provision exempting existing offshore wind farms and already tendered projects from planned capacity charges, which the association believes protects decisions made under previous regulatory conditions.
BWO commissioned a study from the energy economics consultancy Neon Neue Energieökonomik, published on June 3. The findings show that generator network charges (Erzeugernetzentgelte) would not achieve the intended steering effect for offshore wind nor make grid financing more efficient. The core argument is based on structural reasons: unlike other generation assets, offshore wind farms, grid connections, and connection capacities are centrally planned and allocated by the government, so additional charges cannot incentivize more grid-friendly siting decisions, as there are no location choices that can be influenced.
The study also notes that generator network charges would increase the cost of offshore wind, thereby raising bid prices in future Contracts for Difference (CfD) tenders. Since the German federal government guarantees these contracts, the additional costs ultimately return to the federal budget, making these charges a form of indirect grid financing through public expenditure rather than an efficiency measure.
BWO Managing Director Stefan Thimm stated that he welcomes the Federal Network Agency's adoption of key concerns from the offshore wind industry regarding investor protection. He noted that companies that have already invested or submitted bids in tenders cannot be retroactively burdened with additional risks that were previously unforeseeable. He added that compared to preliminary considerations in February, the agency's position has been significantly strengthened, a development worthy of recognition.
BWO also welcomes the regulator's current stance of not imposing dynamic generator network charges on offshore wind. However, the association emphasizes that as the regulatory process progresses, a formal, permanent exemption covering both dynamic generator charges and construction cost allocation is needed. The association has pledged to actively participate in the upcoming consultation on the draft ruling.
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