Electricity is noticeably more expensive here – and that's how much it costs you

The new network fees for electricity recently became known – there are clear regional differences. What the major network operators are planning.

A few days ago it became known in which federal states the grid fees for electricity are expected to rise in 2025. Above all, a north-south and a west-east divide became clear. Many consumers are now asking themselves: How are network charges developing in the region where I live? How much more money might I have to pay next year or can I expect a reduction in electricity fees?

Current data from the energy sharing platform ene't GmbH, which is available exclusively to t-online, provides initial information.

A nationwide comparison shows that the largest percentage reduction is being carried out by the Bavarian electricity cooperative. It reduces costs by 42.5 percent, so that the labor price falls to 7.88 cents/kWh (42.5 percent). For the model household, this means a saving of around 204.05 euros per year. However, as ene't notes, this only applies in one place. The analysts have not revealed which one it is.

Wemag Netz, on the other hand, has the most customers. It supplies 408 post offices in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In these regions, customers can expect a reduction in fees of 38.1 percent. This means that the fees per kilowatt hour fall to 9.80 cents. Other customers from northern Germany, for example from Schleswig-Holstein, can expect a reduction of 27.2 percent (to 11.84 cents/kWh), both Nordnetz and Schleswig-Holstein Netz announced for their distribution network.

However, some companies are also increasing their network fees. Including the Pfalzwerke network. From 2025, they will charge their customers 20.4 percent higher network fees – this will then cost 13.88 cents/kWh. For the model household, this means an additional financial burden of around 82.20 euros per year – which results in annual costs of around 486.11 euros, according to ene't. However, anyone who lives in the Dudenhofen municipal utilities network area “only” has to expect a charge increase to 10.57 cents/kWh (19 percent).

The companies Stadtwerke Service Meerbusch Willich, Hamburger Energienetze and Stadtwerke Stockach in Baden-Württemberg have also announced an increase in fees (Stadtwerke Service Meerbusch Willich; 17.6 percent; Hamburger Energienetze: 8.4 percent; Stadtwerke Stockach: 11.7 percent ).

According to the current status, consumers in the Neubrandenburger Stadtwerke network in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are likely to be most happy in 2025. In a nationwide comparison, they pay the lowest fee (7.05 cents/kWh), followed by the Netzgesellschaft Frankfurt (Oder) in Brandenburg (7.15 cents/kWh) and the Munster-Bispingen municipal utility (7.18 cents/kWh).

Overall, the highest fees are charged by the Bavarian municipal utilities Ebermannstadt utilities (14.85 cents/kWh), the Hamburg energy networks (14.55 cents/kWh) and the Stockach municipal utilities (14.47 cents/kWh).

The experts at ene't also admit: “However, it cannot be ruled out that the price level will still change. After all, at the time of the analysis, more than 80 percent of the preliminary price sheets are not yet available.” This means that there could still be deviations until the end of October. “Further adjustments to the final network fees are also possible at any time.”

Network fees are fees that are intended, among other things, to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the electricity networks.

By the way: The Federal Network Agency is planning to reform network fees. From 2026, providers who react dynamically and flexibly to the current situation on the electricity exchange or the generation situation will receive network fee relief. This means: If the provider ensures that he always buys electricity cheaply, he will be charged lower network fees. The electricity prices will then be lower for the company's electricity customers.