DIHK-Impuls Document: How Future-Proof Power Grid Connections Can Succeed

Bottlenecks in Germany's power grid, along with inefficient procedures, are holding back the transformation of the energy system. Such issues jeopardize corporate climate targets and even location decisions for Germany. A new DIHK impulse paper identifies the causes and presents possible solutions.

The path to accessing power in Germany is often fraught with challenges for businesses: Limited capacities coupled with bureaucratic, often analog procedures result in long waiting lists. Connection capacities in many places are already exhausted up to the 2030s. Where companies are forced to delay electrification projects due to grid bottlenecks or abandon plans for new setups, Germany's competitiveness faces further pressure.

Cross-Sector Perspective

Against this backdrop, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) has developed the impulse paper "Future-Proof Power Grid Connections." Insights from the Taskforce "Grid Connection"—a collaboration of energy sector professionals, businesses, and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry—form the basis of this paper. The taskforce encompasses representations from industry and trade as well as the energy economy, battery and storage sectors, and data centres, reflecting a cross-sector understanding of the issue.

Bolay_test — Dr. Sebastian Bolay

-- Managing Director Energy, Environment, Industry

The paper emphasizes three key demands: modernisation of the grid connection allocation procedure, optimal utilization of existing capacities in the power grid, and consistent digitalisation of grids.

Three key demands

A comprehensive digitalisation of grid connection processes could improve efficiency, establish deadlines, and provide transparency. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) proposes setting up a nationwide platform that displays available network capacities in real-time and provides feedback to connection users about possible capacities. At the same time, dynamic and regionally differentiated grid fees should be introduced to create local incentives for grid-friendly use.

Aside from this, DIHK highlights the significance of further grid expansion to alleviate bottlenecks and enhance cost efficiency in the European internal electricity market.

The complete DIHK impulse paper is available for download:

Future-Proof Power Grid Connections (PDF, 345 KB) (only available in German)