The Energy Act 2005 implemented the regulated access to the German electricity and gas grids and thus replaced the negotiated grid access. The former obligation of the energy industry to conclude so-called associations’ agreements (“Verbändevereinbarungen”) was replaced by four regulations; StromNEV, StromNZV, GasNEV and GasNZV. These are being added to by determinations of the regulation authorities.One of the core elements of this legal framework is that a prior approval of grid charges must be obtained.

The implementation of the Act is carried out by both the national regulatory authority and the regulatory authorities within the Federal States.

This new regulation environment provides energy supply companies with the impetus to develop a regulation management. This should be integrated into the processes and structure of the companies carefully and efficiently.

Platforms or forums for the supervision of regulation management, like AK RegTP, prove to be very useful. AK RegTP offers grid operators a special combination of legal, technical and economic expertise in the energy sector.

Our clients are grid operators, especially municipal utilities. Legal advice at political level is equally important. Against this background Berlin and Cologne are ideal locations.

Contact persons in this area are Dr. Christian Theobald (Berlin), Dr. Ines Zenke (Berlin), Dr. Wolfgang Danner (Cologne) and Matthias Albrecht (Munich).