Injection charges for cross-border grid cost recovery

Commissioned by TenneT TSO GmbH

Publication date: 02.06.2025

The increased need for grid expansion due to the growth of wind and solar energy, as well as rising cross-border electricity flows, is raising pressing questions about the fair distribution of the associated costs between countries. In particular, the connection of offshore wind farms requires substantial additional investments in grid infrastructure. These costs are currently passed on to national electricity consumers via network charges or the offshore levy. At the same time, consumers in other countries also benefit—through lower electricity prices and access to renewable energy—without contributing to the corresponding infrastructure costs.

In this study, conducted jointly with Consentec, we examine whether network charges for generators (“injection charges”) could serve as an instrument for cross-border cost recovery of grid expansion. The focus lies on the question of whether—and how—these charges can help ensure a fairer distribution of costs between countries, particularly in the context of offshore wind projects.

Here you can find the recording of the webinar.