Access
Subscriptions for injection Annual subscriptions for injection and additional injected power From 2012 onwards part of the tariffs for the use of the Elia grid (for more information see the file "Objective, transparent and regulated grid access tariffs") is applied to power injection. The grid user, or the access-holder designated by it, can thus benefit from reduced tariffs if it sends Elia a forecast of its injections in the form of an annual subscription for injection. Monthly injection peaks not (sufficiently) subscribed are charged at a higher tariff for additional injected power. A number of exemptions apply to these tariffs.
I. Exemptions Given the power term for injection is a compensation for the incremental costs of connection to the Elia grid for the connection of producers from before the liberalization, an exemption is made for injections of power originating from production units connected to the Elia grid after 1 October 2002 for a maximum period of 20 years. Power injections originating from green energy are exempted according to the provisions of the federal and/or regional regulations in force.
II. Subscriptions for injection In the same way as for offtake, injections are processed with the "subscriptions" system. The grid user estimates the values of the power that he expects to be able to inject into the high-voltage grid and sends these forecasts to Elia. If the grid user’s actual injections do not exceed its subscriptions the power will be invoiced to it at the preferential subscription tariff rate. If the real injections exceed its subscriptions, the extra injected power will be charged to it at the tariff for additional injected power. This tariff is higher than the tariff for subscriptions. This mechanism is an incentive for the grid user to estimate its injection profile as accurately as possible. There are two categories of tariff: • a tariff for subscribed power for injection based on an annual subscription; • a tariff for additional injected power on a monthly basis that is applied if the actual injections exceed the subscriptions. The tariffs applied on power injections are uniform for all voltage levels and there is no division into tariff periods. In order to allow for unforeseen circumstances the Elia invoice does not take account of the grid user’s 10 highest injection peaks. In exceptional circumstances Elia may allow the grid user to change its annual subscription. The purpose of this is to offer it the possibility to adapt to a major and unexpected structural change of its activity and to be invoiced for a subscription that corresponds with its real injection level. To prevent the use of this possibility for speculative purposes it is subjected to strict conditions. Elia provides a simulation tool on its website which allows the grid user, on the basis of its injection profile, to check the impact of its annual subscription on its invoice from Elia.
III. Contractual and legal basis Management of the access points to the Elia grid involves agreeing a grid access contract. This contract may be signed by the grid user or by an access holder designed by the grid user. Subscriptions are submitted to Elia by the access holder. The system of tariffs for Elia grid access is based on the provisions of the CREG Decree relating to tariff methodology.