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    Auteurs
    Markus Böhme

    Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)

    Associé

    Düsseldorf
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    Dr. Christian Ertel

    Salary Partner

    Munich
    Read More
    Auteurs
    Markus Böhme

    Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)

    Associé

    Düsseldorf
    Read More

    Dr. Christian Ertel

    Salary Partner

    Munich
    Read More
    • Sur cette page

    26 mars 2025

    Publication series – 10 de 51 Publications

    CJEU judgement on customer installations in accordance with Section 3 No. 24a Law on the Energy Industry EnWG

    • Briefing

    What is the legal background to the decision?

    When operating electricity and gas grids, German law distinguishes between (unregulated) customer systems (Section 3 No. 24a and b EnWG) and (partially or fully) regulated electricity and gas grids. The operation of a customer system is significantly less costly than grid operation and is also economically more attractive.

    According to Section 3 No. 16 EnWG, customer systems are not part of the energy supply grid and the operators of such systems are accordingly exempt from the grid operator obligations. In contrast, regulatory requirements apply to grid operation, grid fees must be calculated and charged (along with grid-related levies and charges) and grid operation requires authorisation from the energy supervisory authority.

    What did the CJEU decide?

    The subject of the dispute was the connection of two residential areas with 96 and 160 residential units respectively and CHP plants connected to them, as so-called customer plants, to the local electricity grid.

    In its ruling of 28 November 2024 (preliminary ruling procedure), the CJEU ruled that there is no model in European law for the customer installation provision created in Germany in accordance with Section 3 No. 24a EnWG. The German regulation is therefore contrary to European law because it provides for additional exemptions from the obligations of a network operator over and above those provided for by the Internal Electricity Market Directive.

    The Federal Court of Justice is expected to rule in May 2025 and there will be virtually no room for argument following the CJEU judgement (no grandfathering for old cases). It seems rather unlikely that Section 3 No. 24a EnWG will even be retroactively declared to be contrary to European law (and thus grid fees, levies and charges will have to be charged retroactively).

    Who is affected by the decision and what does it mean for those affected?

    Many companies are likely to be affected, especially those that have previously relied on decentralised energy solutions. This can include:

    • neighbourhood developers in the real estate sector,
    • distribution systems (campus concepts)
      • in shopping centres,
      • universities,
      • research institutions,
      • hospitals and clinics, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes (especially with third-party use such as outsourced canteen, laundry)
      • wind or PV farm operator 

        • In all these cases, it is questionable whether the customer system is still compliant and the following steps are therefore typically required:

      • Appraisal of the status quo to identify the problem
      • Determination of the need for adaptation to develop a legally secure and economically viable supply concept (if necessary, grid operation by third parties)
      • Communication with the authorities in relation to the Federal Network Agency and, if applicable, the energy regulator (in particular as soon as the Federal Court of Justice has ruled in May 2025)
    Services et Groupes Projets Internationaux, Énergie & InfrastructureEnvironnement, Urbanisme et Réglementation
    Secteurs Énergie et infrastructureImmobilierDroit de la consommation

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    Changes to CBAM through Omnibus legislative package

    10 April 2025

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    Impact of the ECJ judgement on customer systems under Section 3 no. 24a Energy Industry Act on the expansion of renewable energies

    31 March 2025

    par Dr. Christian Ertel, Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)

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    The role of heat probes in the energy transition: Authorisation procedures and potential

    26 March 2025

    par Kris Breudel, LL.M. (Aberdeen)

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    CJEU judgement on customer installations in accordance with Section 3 No. 24a Law on the Energy Industry EnWG

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    par Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham), Dr. Christian Ertel

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    26 February 2025

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    6 February 2025

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    11 December 2024

    par Mohammed Tartir, Natasha Zahid

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    Oman and Belgium Sign Landmark MoU on Green Hydrogen Cooperation

    11 December 2024

    par Natasha Zahid, Mohammed Tartir

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    Decision day: Grid fee exemption in customer systems and energy price brake put to the test

    28 November 2024

    par Dr. Christian Ertel, Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)

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    BGH: Balance sheet allocation of electricity withdrawals at higher voltage levels in the event of supplier failure - recommended action for grid operators

    11 November 2024

    par Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham), Rebekka Ackermann

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    Hydrogen core network - The Federal Network Agency’s strategy for the energy transition

    11 November 2024

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    BMWK plans new design for the electricity market

    27 September 2024

    par Rebekka Ackermann

    Projets Internationaux, Énergie & Infrastructure

    Amendment to the Energy Industry Act: changes for energy supply companies and grid and system operators

    18 September 2024

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    Standard Essential Patents: A new challenge for the IoT and smart meter world

    10 September 2024

    par Tobias Baus, LL.M., Dipl.-Ing., Dr. Thomas Pattloch, LL.M.Eur

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    18 July 2024

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    Municipalities to share profit in wind turbines and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems

    11 July 2024

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    Projets Internationaux, Énergie & Infrastructure

    Solar Package I - Overview of Changes to Ground-Mounted and Building-Mounted PV Systems

    27 May 2024

    par Dr. Julia Wulff, Dr. Christian Ertel

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    Mandatory special charge for open space photovoltaic systems in Brandenburg

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    26 January 2024

    par Torsten Braner, LL.M.

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    Updating the National Hydrogen Strategy

    6 November 2023

    par Dr. Niels L. Lange, LL.M. (Stellenbosch), Dr. Janina Pochhammer

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    Power Play: Renewable Energy Update

    1 September 2023

    par Dr. Paul Voigt, Lic. en Derecho, CIPP/E, Alexander Schmalenberger, LL.B.

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    16 August 2023

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    6 July 2023

    par Kris Breudel, LL.M. (Aberdeen)

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    12 April 2023

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    27 January 2023

    par Rebekka Ackermann, Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)

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    12 July 2022

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    par Prof. Dr. Norbert Kämper

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    par Dieter Lang, LL.M.Eur.

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    par Peter Solt, LL.M.

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