The capacity fee for households and businesses: a flat rate or hourly settlement
As of 27 October 2026. Rates and peak hours are announced for each year separately.
Households and businesses both pay the capacity fee, but under two different models. Households pay a fixed monthly amount. Businesses with a contracted power above 16 kW pay on the energy they draw from the grid in peak hours.
The household flat rate in 2026
| Annual consumption | Fee (PLN a month, net of VAT) |
|---|---|
| below 500 kWh | 4.29 |
| 500 to 1,200 kWh | 10.31 |
| 1,200 to 2,800 kWh | 17.18 |
| above 2,800 kWh | 24.05 |
The amount depends only on the band of annual consumption. Which band a household falls into is decided by its distribution operator under the operator’s tariff. Because the flat rate is a fixed amount, neither the time of day at which energy is used nor the K1-K4 categories affect it.
The flat rate at each distribution operator
We checked the 2026 tariffs of five Polish distribution system operators. All five list the same four amounts:
- Tauron Dystrybucja: 2026 tariff, p. 46
- PGE Dystrybucja: 2026 tariff, consolidated text in force from 1 February 2026, p. 60
- Enea Operator: 2026 tariff extract, p. 8
- Energa-Operator: 2026 tariff, p. 42
- Stoen Operator: 2026 tariff, p. 51
Hourly settlement for businesses above 16 kW
Consumers with a contracted power above 16 kW do not pay the flat rate. Their fee depends on the energy drawn from the grid in peak hours and on each day’s K1-K4 category. In 2026 the rate is PLN 0.2194 per kWh, net of VAT, and the multiplier runs from 0.17 to 1.00.
| Flat rate | Hourly settlement | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it applies to | households and consumers with a contracted power of up to 16 kW | consumers with a contracted power above 16 kW, including medium- and high-voltage connections |
| What it depends on | the band of annual consumption | the energy drawn from the grid in peak hours, and the day’s category |
| Amount in 2026 | PLN 4.29 to 24.05 a month, net of VAT (households) | PLN 0.2194 per kWh, net of VAT, × a multiplier of 0.17 to 1.00 |
| Does the time of use matter | no | yes |
Capacity fee hours · K1-K4 categories and calculator
Sources
- The distribution operators’ 2026 tariffs (listed above)
- Capacity Market Act of 8 December 2017 (ustawa o rynku mocy), Article 70a
This page is for information only. It is not legal advice or an offer: the law and your distribution operator’s tariff prevail.
