Methodology determination for efficiency benchmarking
Determination of the methodology for the future design of efficiency benchmarking for electricity distribution system operators and gas distribution and transmission system operators
The Grand Ruling Chamber for Energy opened proceedings for the determination of a methodology for the future design of efficiency benchmarking for electricity distribution system operators and gas distribution and transmission system operators in accordance with section 29(1) in conjunction with sections 21 and 21a EnWG. The proceedings were opened on 17 October 2024 [GBK-24-02-3#5].
The responsibility of the Grand Ruling Chamber derives from section 59(3) sentence 3 in conjunction with section 54(3), section 21 and section 21a EnWG.
Dialogue on efficiency benchmarking methodologies (link to event)
The Bundesnetzagentur held a special dialogue on efficiency benchmarking on 24 September 2024: "Efficiency benchmarking in the energy sector – Evaluation and challenges for German regulation".
Report
The Bundesnetzagentur commissioned a report to take adequate account of the special circumstances in the gas sector. It is clear that there will be large differences in developments with respect to timescales and regions and therefore vast differences in the requirements for and use of the gas networks. In light of this, the report is to make recommendations concerning the future applicability and design of efficiency benchmarking for gas distribution system operators.
The authors commissioned to draw up the report should make a valid assessment of whether the current legal and practical design of efficiency benchmarking for gas distribution system operators as applied for the fourth regulatory period (2023-2027) will still be suitable in view of the varied transformation processes anticipated. The report should also look at whether the cost drivers determined in the last efficiency benchmarking (for the fourth regulatory period) will still be relevant. These assessments should distinguish between short to medium-term and long-term scenarios.
The scope of the commissioned report also included a sector dialogue.
Sector dialogue (link to event)
The Bundesnetzagentur is holding an open expert dialogue on the methodology determination for efficiency benchmarking on 15 November 2024.
The agenda is available here: provisionally Agenda 15. November 2024 (in German only)