How does a BESS reduce the contracted capacity charge?

The contracted capacity charge is paid on the contracted capacity, regardless of whether we use it. The storage system reduces this item by discharging during consumption peaks, so the peak power drawn from the grid becomes lower — this is called peak shaving. If, based on the permanently lower peak achieved this way, the contracted capacity can also be reduced in agreement with the distribution system operator, that is an immediate saving that recurs every year. In terms of magnitude: on a medium-voltage connection the contracted capacity charge in 2026 is 15,924 HUF/kW/year, so a 100 kW peak reduction means an annual saving of roughly HUF 1.6 million — and this is completely independent of how much energy the storage system moves. Two conditions, however, are essential. The reduction must be reliable: a single missed peak shave can override the entire annual contracted capacity. And sizing requires the site’s 15-minute profile, because the frequency and duration of the peaks decide how much capacity is needed.