Energinet will introduce stricter requirements for, among other things, data centers, battery parks and industrial projects that want to connect to the electricity grid.
The background is a sharp increase in the number of applications from large electricity consumers. According to Energinet, the current applications correspond to an eightfold increase in the current Danish maximum consumption, and the current electricity grid cannot handle such large amounts of new consumption. Energinet states this in a press release.
With the new rules, projects that are furthest along or best utilize the electricity grid will be prioritized higher in the case processing. The new, changed models are based on the Danish Energy Agency's guidance from February 2026. According to Energinet, the requirements and principles are also among the first concrete results of the company's work on an emergency package for the Danish electricity grid.
Energinet has also prepared the basic principles for prioritization in collaboration with Green Power Denmark and the grid companies in order to create a more uniform prioritization across voltage levels and reflect the needs of the electricity grid as a whole.
The new prioritization criteria are intended to favor projects that use already reserved capacity, relieve the electricity grid or can be connected to existing stations without major changes in grid capacity. So-called organic growth among smaller electricity consumers must also be given higher priority.
- It is important that the projects that are furthest along and can contribute most quickly to a green transition of the energy system are prioritized and do not fall behind less mature projects, says Kim Willerslev Jakobsen, Director of Energinet's System Responsibility.
Three maturity requirements
Energinet is also introducing new maturity requirements in three stages for projects seeking grid connection in the transmission grid.
First, the projects must document that the planning basis is in place and pay a deposit of DKK 0.5 million. Later, customers must document that the project can meet the final requirements within 12 months, while the final stage requires an approved local plan.
- Energinet already has a long list of requirements that grid customers must comply with, including special technical requirements and documentation and requirements for financial security. The existing requirements will still apply. Now we are adding some additional requirements to ensure faster progress, says Kim Willerslev Jakobsen.
According to Energinet, the new requirements are intended to ensure faster progress and more efficient utilization of capacity in the electricity grid.
The new rules are expected to enter into force on June 3, 2026, and Energinet invites the industry to provide input to the model until May 20, 2026.
Energinet's new prioritization criteria and maturity requirements
Energinet's new model for prioritization criteria is intended to support efficient utilization of grid capacity.
The elements of the model prioritize:
- Projects that use already reserved capacity and projects that are categorized as "organic growth". This could be, for example, the usual and expected development in consumption among small consumers.
- Connections in the customer's existing field without change in grid capacity. This could be the addition of a battery to an existing production plant without a desire for consumption from the electricity grid.
- Grid-relief projects and new consumption in production-dominated areas or new production in consumption-dominated areas. This could be the addition of an electrolysis plant in an area that otherwise has the most production capacity.
- Grid utilization in existing stations. Projects are prioritized secondarily according to whether they are easy to connect to the electricity grid.
The new requirements come in three steps – so-called maturity gates
Maturity gate 1
- The grid customer must document that the planning basis is in order. This may, for example, be documentation that the area in the municipal plan is designated for the purpose, or a stated political wish from the municipality.
- The grid customer must pay a deposit of ½ million kroner, which corresponds to part of the costs for screening and maturity for a typical project.
Maturity gate 2
- The grid customer has completed the entire delivery list, which forms the basis for the maturation to be carried out.
- The grid customer submits documentation that the requirements in maturity gate 3 can be met within 12 months.
Maturity gate 3
- The grid customer submits documentation that the local plan has been approved.
To ensure the greatest possible effect of the new maturity requirements, the model is implemented on existing projects where maturation has not been initiated.
Source: Energinet
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