Electricity grid fees raised significantly: 'Crucial for the transition'

This week, Vattenfall and Ellevio’s customers received the news that the electricity grid fees will be raised significantly. This is done with reference to alleged large investments in the electricity grid. Unreasonable, according to a consumer organization.

”The electricity grid is a critical infrastructure for society and is crucial for Sweden’s growth, jobs, and energy transition”, Vattenfall writes in a letter to its customers.

”The electricity grid is also a central part of Sweden’s preparedness and total defense capability, something that has received increased focus in a troubled world. We must be equipped with a resilient and robust electricity grid. With your electricity grid fee, you are contributing to creating conditions for a safe, fossil-free, and electrified Sweden”, they continue.

The increase for Vattenfall’s customers with houses will be approximately 130 SEK per month and 35 SEK for those with apartments.

As electricity prices have decreased, the energy compensation is reduced by 2.8 öre to 10.4 öre per kWh for those with solar panels.

For Ellevio’s customers, the increase is around ten percent for houses, and the system is being changed for apartment customers. According to the company’s press manager, Jesper Liveröd, the average increase for all customers will be five percent.

Vattenfall’s CEO Anna Borg. Photo: Vattenfall

”Horrible”

Over the past ten years, electricity grid fees have been significantly raised on several occasions, and according to Håkan Larsson, Chief of Public Policy at Villaägarna, the latest announcement has made the members furious. It is called, among other things, ”horrible”.

– I think it summarizes the problem quite well. That a monopoly company can raise it by 14 percent. It would never work in a competitive market when inflation is around 2 percent, says Håkan Larsson to TT.

33 billion in profit

Even at Fastighetsägarna, they are critical.

– Electricity grid fees continue to rise, and it is a direct result of a recognized incorrect current model and a naive, wide-eyed proposal from a powerless authority about a new one. When the electricity grid companies now inflate their assets, it is just a sign of how easily today’s regulation can be manipulated, says Rikard Silverfur, Head of Development & Sustainability at Fastighetsägarna.

Unlike electricity trading, customers cannot choose their electricity grid company. In 2024, Vattenfall made a profit of 33 billion SEK, while Ellevio had an operating profit of 2.5 billion. Anna Borg’s monthly salary as CEO of Vattenfall was approximately 1.5 million SEK last year.