Bundesnetzagentur launches consultation on the network development plan for the expansion of the electricity grid
Klaus Müller, Bundesnetzagentur President: “Accelerating the expansion of the electricity networks will remain important in order to make the energy system fit for the future.”
Year of issue 2026
Date of issue 2026.06.12
The Bundesnetzagentur has today launched a consultation running until 24 August on the second draft of the network development plan (NDP) for the expansion of the electricity grid up to 2037 and 2045.
“A secure and reliable electricity supply, well interconnected with our European neighbours, is essential. At the same time, we need to keep a handle on costs. The Bundesnetzagentur is seeking to manage this balancing act in its latest proposal
,” explained Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur. “It is necessary to further expand the extra-high voltage network in order to push ahead with the energy transition, ensure a continuously high level of security of supply and meet climate targets.”
Extra-high voltage network needs further expansion
The transmission system operators (TSOs) have proposed 159 expansion measures. The Bundesnetzagentur currently considers 118 of these to be eligible for confirmation. The other measures suggested currently do not contribute sufficiently to the necessary further upgrading of the transmission system. 76 measures are already included in the existing Federal Requirements Plan Act (BBPlG) or in the version of it that is now being revised. The Bundesnetzagentur has examined five measures that were only planned for the target year 2045 with a view to the year 2037 and assessed them to be provisionally eligible for confirmation.
The revised draft of the NDP envisages up to eight more offshore transmission links by 2037 to expand offshore wind energy. The Bundesnetzagentur considers these necessary to achieve the expansion targets set out in the Offshore Wind Energy Act.
The Bundesnetzagentur is also consulting on proposals for additional interconnectors planned to improve the connectedness of the European energy supply as well as on an additional high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line.
Consultation until 24 August 2026
The draft of the TSOs’ NDP, the preliminary results of the Bundesnetzagentur’s evaluation and more information on the consultation may be found at www.bundesnetzagentur.de/1018126.
The public and public agencies are invited to submit comments by 24 August 2026.
In addition, the Bundesnetzagentur is holding online information events to accompany the consultation from 2pm to 5pm on 6 August 2026 (link to register) and from 11am to 2pm on 11 August 2026 (link to register).