Fair allocation of energy network costs

As Europe electrifies heating, transport, and industry, its electricity grids are facing an unprecedented transformation. Meeting the growing and increasingly complex demand will require hundreds of billions in new investments – costs that risk falling heavily on consumers. This brief examines how better network tariff design can balance fairness and efficiency, reward flexibility, and make Europe’s energy transition more just and affordable for everyone.

Expert contributions from: Marine Cornelis (Next Energy Consumer); Carmen Gimeno (GEODE); Rheanna Johnston (E3G), Laurens Ruttens (BEUC); Simona Suardi (Greens/EFA); Victoria Taranu (Buildings Performance Institute Europe); Sophie Yule Bennett (Energy Unlocked)

Check out our web dossier A fair participation in the EU's energy transition.

Over the past 18 months, the Green European Foundation and the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU | Global Dialogue have worked with experts in energy and social policy to identify key areas where the EU could act to ensure that citizens and households are able to fully experience the benefits of the energy transition, in their homes, communities and pockets. 

A Knowledge Community of experts from EU institutions, local government, industry, consumer organisations, trade unions and think tanks have examined several existing and new tools in EU legislation to facilitate citizens’ engagement in the energy transition. This work has focused on three actionable areas: affordable and energy efficient housing; benefit sharing of renewable energy projects; and fair allocation of network costs.