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Grid connection

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It is important to 50Hertz to make the processes for grid connection as transparent as possible and we would like to provide customers with an overview of the conditions for grid connection and grid access.

Below, customers of 50Hertz will find more detailed information on our system diagram and the rules on grid connection and grid access. Detailed information on grid connection procedures and regulations as well as model contracts for suppliers and distribution system operators are available for download below.

System diagram

50Hertz takes care of the operation, maintenance, planning and expansion of the 380/220 kilovolt transmission system in the federal states of Thuringia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Berlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Hamburg.

The transmission grid operated by 50Hertz covers a surface of 109,702 km² and has a total transmission length of approximately 10,490 km.

Please click on the graphic to download the diagram.


Technical connection condition of 50Hertz

According to § 19 (1) of the Electricity and Gas Supply Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz - EnWG) of July 7th, 2005 (EnWG), operators of electricity supply networks are required, "... to lay down and publish on the Internet minimum technical requirements for the design and operation of generating installations, electricity distribution networks, installations of directly connected customers, interconnectors and direct lines, taking into account the conditions laid down pursuant to § 17 and the general minimum technical requirements referred to in paragraph 4 ."

In fulfillment of these obligations, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH (50Hertz) publishes the present document "Technical Connection Conditions of 50Hertz Transmission GmbH (TAB 50Hertz Part A)".

Together with the other parts of TAB 50Hertz, this Part A replaces the "Grid Connection and Grid Access Rules" of May 2008.

Technical Connection Conditions 
Download PDF in English (1,5 MB)

VDE AR N 4130 "Technical connection rule for the connection and operation of customer systems to the extra-high voltage Network"

The application rule VDE AR N 4130, prepared by VDE|FNN, represents the national implementation of the requirements for type D generation systems from the Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/631 of 14 April 2016 "establishing a network code on requirements for grid connection of generators” (NC RfG) and the requirements for consumption systems from the Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/1388 of 17 August 2016 "establishing a Network Code on Demand Connection (NC DCC)".

TAB 50Hertz Part A specifies the requirements of VDE AR N 4130 for connection customers at 50Hertz.

Grid connection customers

Our "Technical Connection Conditions of 50Hertz Transmission GmbH (TAB 50Hertz Part A)" apply both to grid connection customers who connect their technical systems to the grid of 50Hertz for the first time and to those who modify their already connected systems. The criteria for a significant change are set out in TAB 50Hertz Part A.

Grid connection procedure

In accordance with § 17 of the German Energy Industry Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz – EnWG) of May 2005, operators of energy supply systems are obliged to connect customers to their systems under technical and commercial terms that are adequate, non-discriminatory and transparent.

One of the legal documents where these requirements are described in detail is the German Ordinance on Grid Connection of Power Plants (Kraftwerks-Netzanschlussverordnung, KraftNAV) which came into force in June 2007.

The grid connection procedure of 50Hertz Transmission GmbH is transparent and non-discriminatory. The documents available for download illustrate the procedure complete with content and deadlines, using the examples of a conventional power plant and a renewable energy plant onshore.

Ordinance on grid connection of power plants (KraftNAV)

Operators of electricity supply grids working at a voltage of 110 kV or more (conventional power plants) are obliged to disclose information concerning their grids as stipulated in § 3 subs. 1 of the German Ordinance [KMH1] on Grid Connection of Power Plants (Verordnung zur Regelung des Netzanschlusses von Anlagen zur Erzeugung von elektrischer Energie; Kraftwerks-Netzanschlussverordnung; KraftNAV) of 26 June 2007. We gladly fulfil this obligation on this page.

What is the background to KraftNAV?

The German Oordinance [KMH2] on Grid Connection of Power Plants (KraftNAV) regulates a nationwide standard procedure for connecting new power plants to the existing electricity system. KraftNAV was devised against the background of the phase-out of nuclear energy (subject to residual electricity production rights being granted) which was laid down by law in 2002. KraftNAV has been designed to close a ‘gap’ in electricity supply anticipated for the medium term and regulate the details of non-discriminatory connection to the system. Its purpose was to allow for investments in new power plants to be performed speedily and on the basis of the non-discrimination principle. KraftNAV applies to the connection of generating units with a nominal capacity of 100 megawatts or more to electricity supply systems at a voltage level of at least 110 kilovolts.

Grid connection model contract

To be connected to the grid of 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, customers must conclude a contract with 50Hertz (grid connection contract).

The grid connection contract governs connection of the customer’s electrical systems to the transmission system of 50Hertz and stipulates the pertinent rights and duties. In particular, these concern the arrangements on operating safety and security as well as the condition of plants and systems, the access to them and positive comity.

Offshore Grid Connection Requirements

Here you will find the grid connection requirements for power generation plants that are connected to 50Hertz’s offshore AC grid at a medium voltage level (66 kV or 132 kV). That AC grid is connected to the continental European synchronous area via a HVDC connection. Those power generation plants are also known as non-synchronous generation plants with DC connection. This document describes the technical and organizational requirements which have to be met for the establishment and operation of a seaside grid connection to the grid of the transmission system operator. Furthermore, relevant features and characteristics of the offshore grid, grid code requirements and interfaces are provided in this offshore grid connection rule.

Offshore Grid Connection Requirements

Offshore Grid Connection Requirements Annex Simulation Models and Studies