Planning · EEG Obligation · Marketing

Direct Marketing of Wind Power

Since EEG 2014, all wind turbines > 100 kW must sell their power via direct marketing — i.e. through a marketer at the power exchange or to industrial off-takers. The EEG market premium (German: Marktprämie) compensates the difference between market price and the reference value (anzulegender Wert). Overview: obligation, marketers, cash flow.

How Does Direct Marketing Work?

Wind turbine physically feeds power into the grid
Marketer (“Direktvermarkter”) takes the power into their balancing group (Bilanzkreis)
Marketer sells power at the power exchange (EPEX, EEX) or to off-takers (PPA)
Revenue = spot market price × MWh, less marketer fee
Transmission system operator additionally pays the market premium: reference value minus monthly market value for wind (Monatsmarktwert Wind)
Total revenue for operator = market value + market premium − marketer fee

Choosing a Marketer

Marketer	Profile	Fee (indicative)
Statkraft Deutschland	Market leader, multi-asset	1.2–1.8 €/MWh
EnBW Direktvermarktung	Major utility subsidiary	1.5–2.2 €/MWh
Axpo Deutschland	Swiss utility, RE specialist	1.3–2.0 €/MWh
Trianel	Municipal utility consortium	1.5–2.5 €/MWh
Next Kraftwerke	Virtual power plant, tech focus	1.8–2.5 €/MWh
Vasa Energy	Small, agile marketer	1.4–2.0 €/MWh

Market Premium Calculation

Market premium [€/MWh] = reference value − monthly market value_wind

Example March 2026: auction award value 72 €/MWh, monthly market value for wind March 48 €/MWh → market premium 24 €/MWh. Revenue per MWh = 48 € (marketing) + 24 € (premium) − 1.5 € (marketer) = 70.5 €/MWh for the operator.

Other Direct Marketing (Post-EEG)

After the 20-year subsidy period expires, the turbine operates under “other direct marketing” (Sonstige Direktvermarktung):

Marketer sells power at market price
No more market premium
Revenue = spot price − marketer fee
Currently approx. 35–55 €/MWh (volatile) — tight for existing plants with high OPEX
Alternative: PPA with industrial off-taker for greater stability

Balancing Group Risk

When the wind forecast deviates from actual wind, balancing group deviation costs arise (difference to the forecast delivery volume). The marketer typically assumes this risk in exchange for a fee. During the volatile power prices of 2022/23, these risks increased — some marketers adjusted contracts (volume corridors).

Selection criteria for marketers: fee level, balancing group risk allocation, contract duration (typically 1–3 years), payment frequency (monthly standard), creditworthiness, optional add-on services (performance monitoring, maintenance coordination).

Direct marketing of wind power: cash flow diagram - WTG to grid to marketer to exchange (EPEX/EEX) or PPA industry. TSO pays market premium = reference value minus monthly market value for wind. Example: 72 minus 48 = 24 EUR/MWh, revenue 70.5 EUR/MWh. Marketer fees: Statkraft 1.2-1.8, EnBW 1.5-2.2, Axpo 1.3-2.0 EUR/MWh. Post-EEG: 35-55 EUR/MWh

Direct marketing of wind power — cash flow, market premium and marketer comparison

Marketer Comparison for Your Turbine?

We connect you with a direct marketing advisor — competitive quotes from multiple marketers with risk analysis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during negative power prices?

Under EEG 2024, the market premium lapses after more than 4 consecutive hours of negative power prices. Marketers often have their own negative-price clauses. In practice 2023–2026 increasingly relevant (20–80 hours per year).

How often can I switch marketer?

Typical: notice period of 3–6 months, then switching is possible. For long-term contracts 24 months.

What does switching marketer cost?

Usually free of charge — for large portfolios, marketers negotiate fee reductions. In practice, an annual comparison pays off.