European Commission says German grid fee exemptions for large users in 2012-2013 against state aid rules
Germany needs to recover millions of euros in illegal aid from certain large electricity users exempted from grid charges in Germany in 2012-2013 after the European Commission declared past regulation was against EU State aid rules. 鈥淔ully exempting certain large users from these charges is an unfair advantage and increases the financial burden on other electricity users,鈥� said Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in a press release. Large users avoided paying an estimated 300 million euros, says the release. It was true that large users with a stable power consumption generated fewer network costs, but there is 鈥渘o objective justification鈥� for a full exemption, said the Commission. 鈥淓ach user should pay for the costs it causes to the network鈥�, but a partial reduction of fees is justified. Germany now needed to determine the amount and recover the illegal aid.
Find the press release in English .
For background, read the 威力彩玩法 factsheet Power grid fees- Unfair and opaque?