The energy transition is accelerating, with more and more renewable generation plants and the ramp-up of large electricity consumers such as data centers and battery storage facilities. For many distribution networks, this means that traditional grid connections can no longer be implemented in the short term due to a lack of available capacity.

With § 17 (2b) of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG), there is now a solution: Flexible Connection Agreements (FCA).

These bilateral agreements between the grid operator and the connection customer define flexible capacity limits for feed-in or withdrawal – either static or dynamic. This makes it possible to realize connections even in locations where full grid capacity is not (yet) available.

At E-Bridge Consulting, we helped shape the legal framework for FCAs during the industry dialogue to accelerate grid connections, and today we support:

• Grid operators in designing FCA concepts, developing end-to-end processes, and creating suitable FCA products.
• Connection customers in clarifying technical and legal questions, designing optimal solutions in dialogue with the grid operator, and conducting economic assessments of FCA options.

FCAs are not a substitute for grid expansion – but they are an important accelerator for connecting flexible technologies.

In this way, we bring energy transition projects online faster.