The energy price has emerged as a central topic in the coalition talks between the CDU and the SPD. Following the Russian sanctions, the energy prices in Germany have significantly increased, affecting both private households and the industry. As a result, the CDU/CSU and the SPD have agreed in their exploratory talks to lower the energy price. The goal was to achieve a reduction of at least five cents per kilowatt-hour, which was to be achieved by reducing the energy tax and the transmission network charges.
According to a study presented to the Handelsblatt, the costs for the relief are much higher than initially planned. Moreover, private consumers are likely to benefit little from the reduction of the transmission network charges.
The total costs for the federal government are estimated to be around 11 billion euros. According to the study, only large companies will benefit from the reduction of the transmission network charges, as only they are connected to the top level of the network. Private customers, on the other hand, are not connected to the high-voltage transmission lines, but to the distribution networks several levels lower. The reduction of the transmission network charges will therefore not have an impact on them.
A uniform reduction of five cents for all electricity consumers is therefore not achievable, said Kai Lobo, managing director of the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU), which represents the municipal utilities.
The energy prices could be lowered if the sanctions were lifted. However, this is not a topic in the coalition talks. The kilowatt-hour currently costs around seven rubles in Moscow, which is equivalent to around eight cents according to the current exchange rate.