Electricity - Glossary
Electricity transmission charge
The fee charged by the network company for transmitting electricity from the power plant to your home. The network company cannot be chosen.
The electricity transmission charge is the fee charged by the network company for delivering electricity through the grid to the consumer. The charge is set by the local distribution network company, which the consumer cannot choose - it is fixed according to the place of residence. The charge typically consists of a basic fee (EUR/month) and an energy fee (cents/kWh).
Electricity transmission accounts for around 30-40% of a household's total electricity bill. Although the transmission charge cannot be compared on the open market, the electricity supplier can be chosen freely. The largest network companies in Finland are Caruna and Elenia, which together serve roughly 2 million customers.
Transmission charges have risen significantly in recent years due to grid renewal and weather hardening. The Energy Authority monitors that transmission prices are reasonable and sets a cap on them.
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Related concepts
Electricity transmission
The delivery of electricity from the power plant to the consumer via the grid. Handled by the local network company.
Electricity tax
An excise tax levied by the state on electricity. In Finland the rate is 2.253 cents/kWh (tax class I, households).
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
The unit of electrical energy. One kilowatt-hour equals one hour of use of a 1,000-watt appliance.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't the transmission charge be compared?
Electricity transmission is a natural monopoly - each area has only one network company that owns the power lines. Competition isn't feasible because it makes no sense to build parallel grids.
How do I find out which network company I have?
Your network company is shown on your electricity bill or in the Energy Authority's online service. Sopimusvahti's city pages list the network company for each city.
How much is the transmission charge?
Transmission is typically 3-7 cents/kWh plus a basic fee of 5-15 EUR/month. The exact price depends on the network company and the place of residence.