Transfer fee

Your electricity bill is really two bills: energy (from the retailer you choose) and transfer (from the local grid company, determined by where you live). The difference matters: comparing saves only on the energy side; the transfer stays the same.

Transfer fees in Finland are regulated by the Energy Authority. The grid company can price the transfer to its permitted return, but there is local variation in the fee structure (Caruna, Helen Sähköverkko, Tampereen Sähköverkko etc. have different tariffs).

You can affect the transfer bill through your consumption profile if your grid company has a time-of-use or seasonal tariff: shifting high loads (water heater, EV charging, sauna) to night can lower the transfer bill. Not all grid companies offer this — check your own.

Transfer fee structure — fixed + usage parts

The grid company's transfer fee has two parts:

Standing charge (€10–30/mo) — a fixed monthly fee regardless of consumption. Depends on main fuse: 3 × 25 A typical detached house, 3 × 35 A electrically heated, 3 × 63 A with main switch.

Usage part (3–7 c/kWh) — charged per kWh. Some grid companies have night/day tariffs (cheaper at night) or seasonal pricing (cheaper in summer).

In total transfer is typically 30–40 % of your bill — clearly more than energy (20–40 %) and tax (20–30 %).

You cannot competitively tender the transfer

Unlike the retailer (energy fee), you cannot switch the grid company. The grid company is a regional natural monopoly — Finland has about 70 local grid companies, each serving its own area.

Common ones: Caruna (largest, from Southwest Finland to Central Finland), Helen Sähköverkko (Helsinki), Elenia (Pirkanmaa and Häme), Vantaan Energia Sähköverkot (Vantaa), Tampereen Sähköverkko (Tampere), Pohjois-Karjalan Sähkö (Joensuu area).

Each company prices independently — the Energy Authority monitors that returns stay within permitted limits.

Reducing the transfer fee by usage profile

If your grid company has time-of-use or seasonal pricing, you can reduce the transfer bill by scheduling consumption:

Night tariff: 22:00–07:00 (about 1.5–3 c/kWh cheaper). Suits water heaters, EV charging and washing machines.

Seasonal: summer (May–Sept) cheaper, winter (Oct–Apr) more expensive.

Peak-demand tariff: charged based on the hour with highest draw — avoid stacking EV + sauna + hot water.

Check your grid company's price lists at their website under "Hinnastot" or "Siirtomaksu".