19 February 2026 - The lack of grid connection capacity increasingly hampers Germany's economic competitiveness: companies must postpone electrification projects, new establishments are absent, and the development of storage and generation technologies falls behind. "The bottlenecks in grid connection capacity are not only a challenge for grid operators but also an escalating issue for all economic sectors," explains Sebastian Bolay, Head of Energy, Environment, and Industry at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).

In light of this, the DIHK has collaborated with representatives from industries, commerce, the energy sector, data centers, as well as battery and storage operators to develop proposals to address the grid connection challenges. The DIHK position paper "Future-proof Grid Connections" outlines three key demands: the modernization of grid connection allocation processes, the optimal utilization of existing grid capacity, and the simplification and harmonization of application procedures.

"Already today, connection capacities are exhausted in many areas up to 2029. The reasons include slow network expansion, bureaucratic and outdated procedures, lack of digitization, and insufficient personnel. This requires immediate action," Bolay states. Apart from consistent network expansion, additional measures are necessary to ensure the competitiveness of business locations on one hand and the successful transformation of the energy system on the other.

As a central focus, the position paper highlights the prioritisation of grid connections. Currently, specific regulatory and legal guidelines for their distribution are lacking. "Depending on the project type, applications are sometimes processed in order of receipt or via proprietary procedures of grid operators. This is inefficient and lacks transparency for customers," Bolay notes. "What we urgently need is a nationwide unified legal framework where the maturity level and commitment of a project at the time of application determine its prioritization."

Further potential lies in better utilization of existing grid capacity, for example through financial incentives for flexible grid connections. Additionally, full digitization of the grid connection process could enhance application efficiency, establish deadlines, and create transparency regarding the procedure's status. At the same time, the electricity grid itself must also be digitized and equipped for a future dynamic and regionally differentiated network fee.

 The DIHK position paper "Future-proof Grid Connections – Recommendations for Modern Infrastructure Usage" can be found here (only available in German).