Variable 24-hour network fee – what it is and how it works
The charges listed on your electricity bill can be divided into energy purchase costs and distribution costs.
The first group includes the actual price of electricity itself and any additional charges, such as a subscription or administrative fee.
Distribution costs, on the other hand, are more complex. They typically include:
- a quality rate,
- a transition fee,
- a RES (renewable energy source) fee,
- a cogeneration fee,
- a capacity fee.
How is the variable 24-hour network fee calculated?
Along with the above charges, your bill also contains a fixed network fee and a variable network fee.
- The fixed network fee (expressed in PLN/month) covers the grid operator’s (OSD) costs of maintaining and operating the electricity network.
- The variable network fee (expressed in PLN/kWh) reflects the cost of distributing electricity.
The more electricity you draw from the grid, the higher this variable 24-hour fee will be.
The purpose of the variable network fee is to compensate the distribution system operator (DSO/OSD) for the expenses incurred in delivering electricity to both households and businesses.
The exact rate of this fee depends on the operator and region of Poland, and it can vary slightly across the country. Although it changes periodically, it must always be approved by the Energy Regulatory Office (URE).
For standard household tariffs, the fee is about 0.30 PLN per kWh.
This means that for every kilowatt-hour consumed, the operator adds roughly 30 groszy.
For example, a four-person household using around 200 kWh per month pays about 60 PLN per month (over 700 PLN per year) just for this fee.
While changes in the household tariff tend to be small, other tariff groups can fluctuate more. For example, in 2021, E.ON S.E. increased the fee by an average of 2.0 PLN/kWh, while Enea, Energa, Tauron, and PGE lowered theirs during the same period. Tauron made the largest reduction, averaging –8.49 PLN/kWh.
These large corrections reflect differences between tariff types. For instance, PGE reduced the fee for tariff C11 by 6.8 PLN but lowered it for C12a by as much as 25.91 PLN.
Impact on solar energy users (prosumers)
Everyone wants to reduce household or business operating costs. Can this fee be lowered? Yes—by reducing grid consumption.
Installing a photovoltaic (PV) system is a proven way to lower electricity bills.
Solar energy is inexhaustible, and a well-optimized PV system reduces the amount of electricity you draw from the grid, cutting both energy and distribution costs, including the variable network fee.
When planning a PV installation, its output should match your self-consumption needs. For businesses, it’s usually recommended to slightly oversize the system to support future growth without higher energy bills.
Any surplus electricity is sent back to the grid and can be:
- retrieved later with a deduction (net-metering), or
- converted into credits used to purchase electricity (net-billing).
Energy Storage
To maximize savings, many users complement their PV system with energy storage (home batteries). These store excess energy during peak production hours and release it when demand exceeds production, reducing the need to buy power from the grid.
Both PV systems and storage solutions can qualify for subsidies under the “Mój Prąd” (My Electricity) program. The latest 6th edition offers:
- up to 7,000 PLN for a PV installation,
- up to 16,000 PLN for an energy storage system (minimum capacity of 2 Wh, working with at least a 2 kW PV system).
Applications are open until August 29, 2025.
EV Chargers and Electric Cars
Another way to increase self-consumption is to pair solar panels with an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. An EV can act as a small energy storage unit, making better use of your solar power.
Under the new “NaszEauto” (Our Car) program, starting February 3, 2025, subsidies of up to 40,000 PLN are available for the purchase, leasing, or long-term rental of a new electric car priced under 225,000 PLN (net).
Practical Tips to Save on the Variable Network Fee
Since the fee depends directly on the amount of electricity consumed, both households and businesses can lower costs by:
- turning off unused devices,
- switching off lights when leaving a room,
- using energy-efficient appliances,
- replacing traditional bulbs with LED lighting,
- installing motion and dusk sensors where possible.
Small savings across multiple areas can add up to a significant reduction in your bill.
Will the Variable Network Fee Increase Bills in the Future?
For now, the Energy Regulatory Office (URE) has not announced any changes to the rate or calculation method of the variable 24-hour network fee.
However, keep in mind that a capacity fee has recently been reintroduced (January), designed to strengthen Poland’s energy security.
Looking for proven ways to cut your electricity costs?
Check out REO.pl, where you’ll find solutions for environmentally conscious businesses aiming to combine sustainable growth with financial savings.
