A recent investigation by the Finnish Homeowners' Association has unveiled a near-tenfold difference in electricity transfer fees among various providers.
Some companies charge over 40 euros as the basic monthly fee, while others offer prices as low as under five euros.
Out of Finland's 77 electricity distribution network companies, nearly half raised their basic fees last year. Only two providers — Imatran Seudun Sähkö and Kuopion Sähköverkko — reduced prices, while 37 kept their prices unchanged.
The basic fee for electricity transmission is a fixed fee billed to electricity consumers regularly. It does not depend on the amount of electricity consumption but is intended to cover the costs of maintaining and operating the electricity network.
Sector needs more oversight
The Finnish Home Owners' Association aims to curb the costs of electricity transmission fees.
Large price differences can depend on the company's distribution infrastructure, operating principles and ownership structure, according to the association's Financial and Development Manager Katja Keränen.
The range of the electricity network per customer is wider in rural areas than in urban areas, which can impact costs.
Keränen noted that some companies have also aimed to maximize their profits, while others do not distribute profits to owners or shareholders. The ownership structure of distribution network companies varies from investors to municipally-owned and cooperative entities.
"This is about a monopoly situation, where the customer doesn't have the option of choosing the company. Oversight is therefore necessary. It is important that companies cannot collect unreasonable profits," Keränen said.
Here is a look at the fees of various electricity transmission companies in Finland.
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