Germany's power grid is in overdrive — not just physically, but also administratively. More and more battery storage (BESS) project developers reported in 2025 a new phenomenon: they receive a grid connection commitment, but only for 2027 or later. The cause lies less in the processing time of grid operators and more in the lack of grid capacity and long-term scheduled connection windows currently limited by grid planning.
What Does a Late Grid Connection Commitment Mean?
A grid connection with a later realization date means that the technical connection capacity has already been reserved, but the actual connection is postponed by years — typically to 2027, 2028, or 2029. This ties up investment capital while no revenues are being generated. For battery storage projects with high CAPEX shares and expensive components such as transformers or medium-voltage switchgear, this can tip the entire economic viability.
The Bundesnetzagentur describes this situation in its information paper on grid connections: "The growing number of connection requests in certain regions means that grid connections can only be granted with staggered commissioning schedules."
Why Battery Storage Is Particularly Affected
Battery storage systems require bidirectional connection capacity in grid planning — for both feed-in and withdrawal. As a result, they are treated in many grid areas as if they occupy double capacity.
In practice, these requirements mean that many storage sites are technically permittable but can only be connected after expansion of certain grid sections or transformer stations. Added to this are transformer and switchgear bottlenecks, which according to an analysis by the Institute for Macroeconomics and Economic Research (IMK) lead to delivery times of "up to four years."
Consequences for Project Development and Financing
A late grid connection commitment changes the entire project economics:
Financing — Banks require fixed commissioning dates; a postponement to 2027+ means higher bridge financing costs.
Equipment prices — Transformer and battery costs can change significantly by the time of actual connection.
Subsidy framework — Funding programs and tax conditions (e.g., GHG quotas, storage bonus, CHP funding) often expire before connection completion.
Project valuation — For many developers, resale becomes more economically attractive than holding out until the late connection.
The Bundesnetzagentur permits so-called "flexible grid connection agreements" under § 17 Para. 2b EnWG, which allow staggered connections.
Recommendations for Project Developers
Anyone receiving a grid connection commitment with a commissioning date of 2027 or later should assess early on:
- Whether the grid operator allows partial connections or provisional solutions (e.g., limited capacity until grid expansion)
- Whether assignment or sale of the project to an investor with a long-term horizon makes economic sense
- How their own project financing can be adjusted for several years of "idle time"
BESS project developers above 5 MW in particular are currently reporting stalled projects — not due to rejection, but due to "commitment 2028+."
Conclusion
Germany's energy transition is no longer a question of permits but a question of timely connection capacity. A grid connection commitment for 2027 or 2028 is effectively a multi-year postponement that puts project developers at enormous capital and time risk.
Anyone who doesn't replan now risks economically devaluing sites with already invested development costs.
If your project cannot be realized due to late grid connection commitments, we take over. Whether Ready-to-Build or in development — we restructure and bring projects to the grid.
Official Sources
- Bundesnetzagentur – Monitoring Report 2024: Power Grids and Grid Connection Capacities
- Energy Industry Act (EnWG) § 17 Para. 2b – Flexible Grid Connection Agreements
- Bundesnetzagentur – Guidelines on Grid Connection of Generation and Storage Facilities
- BMWK – Power Plant Strategy 2024: Investment Barriers in Grid Connection and Storage Integration
- IMK – Transformer Bottleneck: Delivery Times and Cost Increases 2024–2025
- Bundesnetzagentur – Interpretation of § 17 Para. 2b EnWG (Flexible Grid Connection Agreements)
