Regulatory developments in 2024

The most important developments in the area of economic regulation in 2024 related to the ruling by the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb) in the appeal proceedings of the joint network operators against the current method decisions for regional gas and electricity network operators for the period 2022–2026. In addition, the ACM took further action in 2024 in preparation for the method decisions to be taken in the longer term (from 2027).

The 2024 tariffs, and therefore the 2024 revenue, take into account the tariffs for the purchase of national transmission and the grid loss costs to be compensated in 2024. Also taken into account is an expected additional compensation linked to the network operators' appeal proceedings against the original 2022–2026 method decisions.

Appeal proceedings for method decisions

In 2024, following the amended method decisions issued on 21 December 2023, the ACM also issued new X-factor decisions for the individual network operators for the period 2022–2026.

For the electricity transmission and connection service, this resulted in significant additional authorised income for the network operators. In addition to the higher newly established authorised normal income for 2025, the total authorised income for 2025 also includes half of the additional amount related to the credit owing for the years 2022–2024. This amounts to €226 million. The other half will be factored into the total authorised income for 2026.

Regulation in the longer term

For the regulatory method for the longer term (from 2027 onwards), the ACM conducted further research last year into a future regulatory method that is appropriate to the energy transition.

The aim of this exercise is to achieve greater harmonisation between the regulatory methods for the national and regional network operators, and the ACM is also advocating individual cost-plus regulation. This means, for example, creating favourable conditions for the immense investment task in the area of electricity, as well as responding appropriately to declining gas consumption. This is in line with Liander's interests in carrying out its operations to efficiently implement the activities required for the energy transition, while also giving due consideration to investment security.

The ACM plans to hold sounding board meetings every four to six weeks in the coming period and intends to quickly publish a draft decision, possibly in September 2025.