{"id":22044,"date":"2025-04-11T12:24:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T10:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cubeconcepts.de\/?p=22044"},"modified":"2025-05-14T17:04:29","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T15:04:29","slug":"2-500-hours-regulation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cubeconcepts.de\/en\/2-500-stunden-regelung\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2,500-hour regulation as grid charge relief"},"content":{"rendered":"

The so-called 2,500-hour rule <\/strong>is one of the special regulations for electricity-intensive companies and, like the Belt load<\/a> or the Atypical grid usage<\/a>regulated in \u00a7 19 StromNEV. Here too, companies have the option of setting a clearly Reduced grid fee<\/strong> if their electricity consumption exceeds a certain period of use and a minimum consumption. To ensure that the grid fees can be levied in a \"causation-based\" manner, the structure of the grid fees is determined on the basis of energy prices (for the amount of electricity consumed) and power prices (for the highest connected load used per year). This creates a defined \"Inflection point at 2,500 annual usage hours<\/strong>\", which has a direct impact on the calculation of costs for grid users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background and aim of the 2,500-hour rule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2,500-hour rule is based on empirical data on historical grid loads and aims to achieve a Distribution of grid costs according to causation<\/strong> to be guaranteed. Consumers that place an uneven load on the electricity grid due to high peak loads also contribute more to the grid's fixed costs. The Simultaneity function<\/strong>which models a user's contribution to the grid peak, provides for a gradual linear adjustment. If usage exceeds 2,500 hours per year, there is a transition to higher charges, which in practice leads to a differentiation of the grid charges into two items: Work and power prices vary depending on whether the 2,500 hours are exceeded. The aim of the regulation is to relieve companies with more even load profiles, while at the same time users with irregular or high peak loads bear the costs they cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requirements for the 2,500-hour rule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to benefit from the 2,500-hour rule, electricity-intensive companies must meet two key requirements. Firstly, the annual electricity consumption at a single consumption point must be at least 10 GWh<\/strong> must amount to. Secondly, a so-called utilization period - i.e. the ratio of annual work to simultaneous highest power drawn<\/strong> - from at least 2,500 hours <\/strong>to be demonstrated. These criteria are aimed at providing targeted relief to companies with a consistently high energy demand and even capacity utilization. An application for a reduced individual grid charge can only be submitted if both conditions are met at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individual grid fee reductions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If a company fulfills the requirements of the 2,500-hour rule, it is possible to Individual grid charge<\/strong> with the responsible grid operator. The fee is not reduced across the board, but is based on Basis of actual use<\/strong> of the grid, in particular taking into account uniform capacity utilization. The agreement is subject to approval by the Federal Network Agency and enables electricity-intensive companies to Customized relief<\/strong> in the grid fees. The aim is to reduce the economic burden on companies with consistently high electricity consumption without losing sight of the system costs for all grid participants. The resulting loss of revenue for grid operators is passed on to all electricity consumers via the nationwide \u00a719 surcharge. This surcharge for special grid usage was 0.643 ct\/kWh in 2024 and was increased to 1.553 ct\/kWh in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal basis of the 2,500-hour rule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The basis for the 2,500-hour rule is Section 20 of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) and the basis for its calculation is set out in the Incentive Regulation Ordinance<\/strong> (ARegV). The relief is ultimately anchored in Section 19 (2) sentence 2, in Section 19 StromNEV levy and in StromNEV Annex 4 to Section 16 (2), which stipulates that the lower usage duration range of the simultaneity function is between 0 and 2,500 annual usage hours. The upper usage duration range starts at 2,500 annual usage hours and ends at 8,760 annual usage hours. The respective grid operators (DSOs) calculate the grid charges accordingly and must comply with these framework conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n