The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) annually sets the tariffs that grid managers may charge. This is to prevent grid managers from abusing their monopoly by applying high rates or working ineffectively. Every 3 to 5 years an efficiency target is set, the so-called "x-factor", for each grid manager. The Trade and Industry Tribunal (CBb) recently decided that this x-factor may also be negative as a result of which the tariffs will increase. This could be the case, for example, if the efficient costs rise due to investments made by the grid manager. The decisions of the CBb avoid the situation that grid managers would not be able to earn back these investments through their tariffs.

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