Lacking grid access major obstacle for Germany's energy transition technologies – associations

Germany needs to “significantly improve access to grid connections” for electric vehicle charging stations, storage facilities and large heat pumps, a group of 13 associations from the energy, housing and consumer protection sectors said in a joint appeal. “Industry, commerce and private households are ready to invest, build and transform,” the group wrote. “But without access to a modern grid infrastructure, many projects remain unimplemented.”

Germany’s electricity network operators are facing a flood of requests to connect new users to the grid, with some local utilities delaying or rejecting new connections.

The group, which includes renewable energy association BEE, energy efficiency association DENEFF, as well as solar, wind and storage associations, called for Germany to expand grid connection capacities, make connection request procedures transparent and digital, and introduce a connection reservation procedure with binding deadlines.

Standardised digital procedures, for example, could process the large number of requests more quickly and efficiently, reducing bureaucracy and addressing the shortage of trained installers, the energy industry has said in the past. “We finally need genuine grid transparency – this is the only way to create fair, flexible grid connection contracts that bring renewables and storage facilities onto the grid quickly,” Robert Busch, head of energy market association bne, said.

Germany's lagging electricity grid expansion remains a key hurdle for the shift to renewables. Electricity retailers have warned that significant delays in connecting EV charging points and solar PV installations to the local power grid are putting the brakes on the country’s energy transition.