New legal situation regarding redispatch in distribution networks
In order to integrate renewables into the market in the best possible way, redispatch must become a robust system suitable for mass business for the energy transition. However, even four years after its introduction, many processes are still not functioning properly. That is why new regulations are now in place – primarily for accounting purposes.
February 2026
The balancing of redispatch measures between grid operators and plant operators is hampered by factors such as incomplete data, inconsistent billing and too many contact persons. A specification procedure for the further development of Redispatch 2.0 has therefore been initiated. The objectives are to streamline and stabilise the processes between the parties involved – especially accounting – and to improve coordination across all grid levels.
On 22 December 2025, the "Act Amending Energy Industry Law to Strengthen Consumer Protection in the Energy Sector and Amending Other Energy Law Provisions" was published. As a result, the amendments to Section 14 of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) came into force on the following day, 23 December 2025.
The new regulations in detail
The new regulations concern the accounting settlement of redispatch measures in distribution networks between the plant operator, the direct marketer as the balance group manager and the distribution network operator itself. If a distribution network operator is not obliged to settle accounts by order of the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), financial reimbursement will be introduced instead of settlement of accounts. The plant operator is entitled to this (Section 14 (1b) EnWG) and no longer the direct marketer as the balance group manager.
Impact on direct marketing contracts and direct marketing offers
Since 23 December, the grid operator has been paying financial compensation for redispatch outage work directly to the plant operator, eliminating the need for compensation for redispatch outage work paid by the direct marketer. [1] Until now, reimbursement for redispatch shortfall could only be made if the grid operator had carried out proper accounting or financial compensation with the direct marketer.[2]
With this new legal regulation on redispatch measures, plant operators receive financial compensation directly from the distribution network operator.
With this new contractual and legal regulation on redispatch measures by the distribution network operator, the plant operator is not disadvantaged, but is fully compensated financially by the distribution network operator.
Further development of compensation payments
In order to still be able to pay the agreed compensation for redispatch outage work in the future, various options are being discussed between the industry players involved (as of 17 February 2026), which must also be procedurally feasible.
We will keep our customers informed and ask for their patience in the meantime.
Do you have questions about redispatch under the new Energy Industry Act (EnWG)? Feel free to contact us!
<a class="arrow">renewables@vattenfall.de</a>
<a class="button">To the article overview</a>
[1] see BNetzA - Notice No. 12 on Redispatch 2.0
[2] in accordance with Section 13a (1a) sentence 1 and Section 13a (2) sentence 1 EnWG (Energy Industry Act) and the BDEW transitional solution