DTe Provides Clarity for Consumers by Continuing Present Electricity Grid Tariffs

For the time being, the Office for Energy Regulation (DTe) will not take any decisions on tariffs for the use of electricity grids in the year 2003. This means that, for the time being, the grid tariffs for the year 2002, including the national uniform producer tariff, will also apply to the year 2003. By doing so, DTe aims to calm the market and provide clarity for consumers. This matter was raised following a ruling on 13 November 2002 by the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal with regard to the tariffs for the use of electricity grids. In this ruling, the Tribunal ruled that the efficiency incentive (price cap) which DTe determined for each company was contrary to the Electricity Act of 1998. By means of this incentive, the regulator aims to ensure that the grid companies, which by nature are monopolies in their areas, will operate more efficiently and will reduce their tariffs every year.

In the coming period, DTe wishes to analyse what solutions are possible, which take into account the ruling of the Tribunal, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, allow the objectives of the efficiency incentive to be upheld as far as possible. DTe is consulting the various interested parties about this. DTe can only take new decisions on tariffs once there is more clarity in this regard.

DTe will set grid tariffs for the year 2003 for four companies, namely TenneT B.V., B.V. Transportnet Zuid-Holland, Westland Energie Infrastructuur B.V. and Eneco Netbeheer Weert B.V. The reason for this is that these companies agreed to the efficiency incentive imposed earlier by DTe.

At present, the Lower House of the Dutch Parliament is processing the Electricity Production Sector (Transition) Act [Overgangswet Elektriciteitsproductiesector], in which the original objectives of the Electricity Act with regard to tariff regulation are clarified.