- We are in the midst of a national collective effort, and we see that it is necessary to take into account the difficult situation for many of the electricity consumers. Therefore, we will work to reduce our tariff for the transmission grid for all consumers. This will benefit industry, businesses and private consumers alike, says Knut Hundhammer, Executive Vice President in Statnett.
After major investments and increased tariffs over recent years, Statnett has already succeeded in leveling out the tariffs for ordinary consumers, while the tariffs for industrial customers have had a slight increase in recent years. Now both these consumer groups will see reduced tariff in 2021. This is done by collecting these revenues over several years.
- We are building an electricity grid for the future, with more renewable energy and considerable electrification of existing energy consumption and new sectors. The investment costs associated with this are mainly covered through grid tariffs. The goal is to do this without any consumers being hit hard financially in the middle of a difficult economic situation, Hundhammer emphasizes.
The Statnett board has asked the management to facilitate these changes and apply for permission from the regulating authorities. The changes will also be discussed with the consumer's organizations before the tariff for 2021 is formally adopted by October 1st.
The tariff model changes
Statnett has worked with the consumer organizations for several years to establish a new tariff model.
The industrial customer discount is evened out, so that all industrial customers will now receive a 50% discount. Today, industrial customers have had discounts ranging from 6% to 60%. The discounts are based on the benefit for the system of large and stable consumption.
- This means that the tariffs for individual consumers in the industry may change somewhat, but we maintain a discount which means that the power-intensive industry pays half of what smaller companies and ordinary consumers do. In addition, these consumers will benefit from lower tariffs for the transmission grid in 2021, says Hundhammer.
Consumers connected to the grid near power generation will continue to receive the same reduction in the tariff for this as today. This stimulates a balanced development of the power system.
The power producers' tariffs are based on European rules and is maintained at the same level, adjusted for changes in exchange rates.
Statnett's board also decided to phase out the separate tariff for flexible consumption, as there are more effective ways to ensure flexibility in the power grid today. This discount for flexible consumers will be halved from the current level in 2021 and be removed in 2022.
- In the meantime, regional grid companies can consider whether they will continue this discount at lower grid levels, if they see that it is of significant benefit to them. We are also aware that the authorities are looking at schemes for consumers that do not need the same level of security of supply, says Hundhammer.
- Investments in the electricity grid contribute to growth and jobs throughout the country, both in the industry and other sectors. A strengthened electricity grid will facilitate new consumption and new production from renewable sources, while ensuring a secure power supply for all, concludes EVP Knut Hundhammer of Statnett.