Tasks and struc­ture

Germany's electricity supply system is currently undergoing the biggest structural change in its history. The Bundesnetzagentur consistently supports the energy transition with its decisions and makes sure that Germany's high quality of electricity supply is maintained. As the competition authority, it regulates access to the networks for new providers and safeguards competition. At the same time, the Bundesnetzagentur is the contact point for energy consumers.

In the energy sector, the Bundesnetzagentur's aims are:

• ensuring a network-based supply of electricity and gas for the general public that is as secure, low-priced, consumer-friendly, efficient and environmentally compatible as possible;
• safeguarding effective and genuine competition in the supply of electricity and gas and long-term efficient and reliable operation of energy supply networks;
• transposing and implementing Community law in the area of network-based energy supply; and
• promoting efficient permit granting processes for Germany's extra-high voltage network to accommodate the growing importance of renewable energy.

Safeguarding competition and enabling investment

The Bundesnetzagentur's traditional role in the energy sector is to shape the conditions and regulate the tariffs for the use of the networks by electricity and gas providers to supply their customers. The Bundesnetzagentur makes a special effort to ensure that network operators can manage the major challenges of the energy transition without placing an undue financial burden on consumers.

While Germany's electricity supply system is undergoing a globally unique restructuring process, the security of supply for private households and industry must be maintained at all times. The Bundesnetzagentur creates the necessary framework conditions by regularly confirming a "grid reserve" and monitoring planned power plant closures.

As part of implementing the energy transition, the Bundesnetzagentur organises tendering procedures to promote conversion of the energy supply to renewables.

Strengthening consumer rights

The Bundesnetzagentur is a publicly available point of contact for a range of questions about energy and encourages dialogue between energy companies and consumers. The energy consumer advice service provides help and support for consumers with queries and complaints, from missing or late energy bills to delays in paying out credits and bonuses.

Letters and parcels play a key role in society and the wider economy. The parcels market especially is becoming increasingly important in light of the growth in online trade. The Bundesnetzagentur's tasks include market and competition regulation for postal service providers to ensure that basic postal services are available to all consumers throughout the country at affordable prices. As the regulatory authority of the postal markets, the Bundesnetzagentur determines the range within which postage rate increases are permissible.

In the postal sector, the Bundesnetzagentur's aims are:

• ensuring fair and effective competition throughout the country;
• ensuring nationwide provision of basic postal services (universal services) at affordable prices; and
• safeguarding the interests of public safety and security.

The Bundesnetzagentur has a wide range of tasks in the postal market in addition to its regulatory activities:

• awarding licences;
• working on solutions in the field of standardisation;
• monitoring the market; and
• providing advice to consumers about new rules and their impact.

The Bundesnetzagentur also keeps an eye on quality standards in the provision of basic postal services. If something goes wrong with deliveries, the Bundesnetzagentur is the right point of contact for consumers. The Bundesnetzagentur deals with consumers' questions and complaints, for instance when no post is delivered, post is delivered late or to a wrong address or customers are not notified properly. Complaints from postal customers provide an important insight into where there are problems and how they can be solved.

The Bundesnetzagentur keeps a keen eye on developments and providers' conduct in the fast-growing parcels markets and makes sure that players follow the rules of competition. It advocates consumer-friendly and high-quality services in the parcels segment, too.