Assessment and consulting on energy

Energy costs in Germany are among the highest in the world. 

This is a definitive disadvantage in competition for global businesses. At the same time, the implementation of the change in energy policy is placing enormous challenges on companies in the high-energy sectors such as chemicals, metal and plastics industries, coking plants and oil processing as well as glass, ceramics, paper and card production. The transition from conventional fuels to renewable energy requires considerable financial effort and puts the challenge on high-energy companies in particular of being able to continue to cover and finance their energy needs despite a shortage of resources and rising market prices.

In our role as auditors but also related to other typical audit and advisory responsibilities, we support clients (high-energy companies but also energy supply companies) in connection with their commercial presentation and calculation of energy flows, obtaining state subsidies for energy costs and in fulfilling the resulting legal obligations.

Our operational service packages for energy industry auditing and consulting include in particular

• Auditing of final accounts in accordance with the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG);
• Auditing of cap applications and final accounts in accordance with the Energy Financing Act (EnFG);
• Audit procedures in accordance with the Energy Cost Reduction Programme (EKDP);
• Audit pursuant to Section 2 (6) sentence 3 in conjunction with (4)
  Concession Charges Ordinance of the marginal price comparison of electricity
• Review in accordance with Section 19 of the Electricity Grid Charges Ordinance (StromNEV);
• Examination of applications for subsidies for indirect CO2 costs of emissions trading (CO2 electricity price compensation);
• Audits as part of the application process for compensation in accordance with Section 11 (3) of the Fuel Emissions Trading Act (BEHG) and the Carbon Leakage Ordinance (BECV);
• Sector extension according to BECV;
• Audit of the billing of a CHP plant operator in accordance with Section 30 of the Act on the Maintenance, Modernisation and Expansion of Combined Heat and Power Generation (KWKG);
• Audits in connection with the gas and electricity price brake;
• Audit of eligibility to apply for CO2 electricity price compensation and BECV;
• Advice on third-party volume limitation.

We flank our practical activities with internal quality assurance measures, ongoing training and further training of our employees and active participation in professional energy industry committees, in particular the Institute of Public Auditors in Germany (IDW), for the new and further development of relevant auditing and consulting principles.

Furthermore, electricity and energy taxes contribute significantly to the high energy costs in Germany. Here, too, there is an increased risk of a competitive disadvantage in relation to foreign competitors. Against this backdrop, there are opportunities for companies in the manufacturing sector in particular to obtain relief from electricity and energy taxes in the form of subsidies. The relief effect can be up to 100 per cent in individual cases. We support companies in achieving maximum relief from energy and electricity taxes.

Comprehensive support for tax issues too

We also advise companies that already operate or will operate their own electricity generation systems (e.g. photovoltaic systems) to avoid high electricity costs and take care of any necessary electricity tax declarations and the associated correspondence with the authorities responsible for electricity tax. Our expert Leon Hemker will be happy to assist you with these issues.

Valuation in critical situations

We support companies in all economic issues relating to energy as a consultant or as an independent expert. This includes in particular valuations

• in the context of transactions and reorganisations,
• capital measures from public funds (Market Economy Operator Test),
• of investment projects,
• of assets and investments in the context of financing negotiations.

We also advise you on transformational challenges such as the development of new sustainable business models. In addition to company valuations, the services we offer also include economic advice and the preparation of expert opinions. Our expert Dr Alexander Budzinski will be happy to support you in these areas.

We can offer our services at all German locations and, if required, across all business divisions and service lines. We also cover international challenges via the Grant Thornton network. We have a broad network of experienced co-operation partners with whom we have worked for many years in a spirit of trust on all energy law issues and in all matters relating to the purchase of energy and the management of emission rights, including the technical design of your energy supply.

Our interdisciplinary team of experts in the Energy & Natural Resources sector will be happy to provide you with advice and assistance on other energy-related issues.