Lucid objectives and clear demands

The bne's objectives:

Demand for a competitive regulatory framework for the energy sector

Enforcement and monitoring of competitive principles in market developments

Implementation of fair and non-discriminatory conditions of competition in the organisation of network access and network usage

Creation of a transparent market and

Abolition of cross-subsidies between network and distribution departments within vertically integrated supply companies

The bne's demands:

Strict unbundling and prevention of cross-subsidies

With multi-utility structures, the network revenues are still available to support distribution - neutral networks are the only way of guaranteeing genuine competition. In Germany, network operators’ neutrality is impeded by insufficient unbundling efforts. This makes it essential to promote neutrality, especially on the distribution network level.

Reasonable network usage fees

As a result of their natural monopoly position, networks tend to be inefficient and deal with costs uncritically. Continuous regulation is necessary to limit these tendencies and simultaneously ensure the networks' quality.

Transparency in the field of natural network monopolies

Transparency is indispensable in the field of natural monopolies. On account of network’s monopoly position, network information is not in need of protection. The information asymmetry, which has also been criticised by the regulator, can only be eliminated by having an extremely high degree of transparency.

Entry-exit-system via one gas market area

The statutory dual-contract model is considered a non-discriminatory base model which ensures the ease and security of gas trade on the basis of neutral networks. This makes it essential to reduce the gas market areas into a single market area.

Standardised processes when changing suppliers

Processes which are uniform for all market participants nationwide are a fundamental prerequisite for equal and non-discriminatory network access - and thus for competition as well.

Market integration of renewable energies

Renewables have to be integrated in the market. One big step has been taken by issuing the Ausgleichsmechanismusverordnung (AusglMechV) in 2009. Further steps must be taken, e.g. by implementing a market-bonus-model (Marktprämienmodell).

Expansion of border transfer stations and establishment of one electricity control area (Strom-Regelzone)

The goal is to prioritise the expansion of border transfer stations in order to enable energy to be procured from abroad in a secure and unhindered manner.

Non-discriminatory connection and production plant operation

Security of supply and the guarantee of reasonable, competitively established prices for the final customers require the preferential and unimpeded connection of new production plants.