The Federal Network Agency(Bundesnetzagentur) (Bundesnetzagentur) has initiated regulatory proceedings against Westnetz, a Distribution Grid Operator under the Eon Group, for failing to make timely PV (Photovoltaik) generation compensation payments as required under Section 19(1) of Germany’s Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG, Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz). Eon attributed the payment delays to the enormous surge in workloads caused by the rapid expansion of renewable energy. For instance, its regional operators received 400,000 connection requests last year—a fourfold increase over recent years—highlighting the grid’s challenges amid explosive growth in PV, heat pumps (Wärmepumpen), home storage systems (Hauspeichern), and wallboxes (Wallboxen).

An Eon spokesperson explained that all German distribution grid operators face two parallel challenges: backlog accumulation due to surging connection requests and delays triggered by system updates. Specifically, the renewable energy boom in the private sector since 2022 involves complex metering schemes combining PV with home storage, charging stations (Ladesäulen), or heat pumps, potentially requiring repeated documentation submissions. Additionally, model switches (e.g., between full feed-in (Volleinspeisung) and surplus feed-in (Überschusseinspeisung)) or expansions of existing systems prolong processing times. Eon emphasized that while processing mechanisms exist, unique request characteristics or IT system updates have increased handling durations for some network companies.

Industry feedback indicates that other distribution grid operators also face delayed compensation payments. Against this nationwide backdrop, the Federal Network Agency(Bundesnetzagentur)'s regulatory procedure is now active. Westnetz is accelerating improvements through measures like hiring additional staff to enhance responsiveness and ensure EEG compliance.
url:https://www.pv-magazine.de/2025/08/06/eon-wesentlicher-grund-fuer-verzoegerte-verguetungszahlungen-sind-enorme-anlagenzuwaechse/