The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) has published its 2024 and 2025 overviews of transmission tariffs, detailing how electricity transmission costs are recovered across more than 36 European countries. The reports examine national tariff structures, the costs included in transmission charges and the different methodologies used across Europe, highlighting the diversity of approaches within the EU’s Internal Electricity Market.

ENTSO-E said the reports aim to improve transparency and help policymakers, regulators, transmission system operators (TSOs) and market participants better understand how network charges are structured. The organisation also stressed that there is no single approach to recovering transmission costs, as national systems reflect different circumstances and regulatory frameworks.

A standardised method to improve comparability

To make the different national approaches easier to assess, ENTSO-E calculates an artificial “Unit Transmission Tariff” (UTT) for each participating country, based on a standardised grid-user pattern. This provides a common reference for examining tariff structures across countries.

However, the organisation cautions that the UTT does not directly compare the individual tariffs applied in each country. Any comparisons or conclusions drawn from the reports must take national specificities into account.

The analysis covers costs related to TSOs, including infrastructure, system services and electricity losses. Where applicable, it also includes other regulated costs not directly related to TSOs, such as contributions to support schemes, regulatory levies and stranded costs.

The reports present both the absolute value of these components and their relative share of transmission tariffs, alongside observations specific to individual countries.

Transmission tariffs and Europe’s electricity market

ENTSO-E describes transmission tariffs as a fundamental element of the Internal Electricity Market. The organisation argues that transparent and efficient network charges are essential to affordable and competitive electricity markets as Europe seeks to make electricity the most attractive energy choice.

The reports set out the common principles established under the EU framework while documenting the different approaches adopted at national level. According to ENTSO-E, this overview can support informed discussions on the continued development of an efficient, resilient and competitive European electricity market.

The organisation also highlights the need to consider electricity bills and grid development together, arguing that future-proof electricity bills and future-proof grids must go hand in hand.