Did you know? New data centers in Germany wait an average of up to 7 years for a grid connection – significantly longer than in many other countries.
Average waiting time for grid connection¹:
- Netherlands: up to 10 years
- Germany: up to 7 years
- UK: 5 – 7 years
- Spain: 3 – 5 years
- Italy: < 3 years
- USA (overall): 1 – 3 years
Why does this matter?
- Speed: A 7-year wait slows down progress in AI, Cloud, HPC & more
- Supply: Growing electricity demand turns the grid into a bottleneck
- Costs: Grid congestion costs in Germany tripled between 2019 and 2022²
- Redispatch: Extended delays may further increase pressure on the system
Is there room for improvement?
- Regulations: Digitize approval processes & reduce red tape
- Planning certainty: Provide transparent capacity data & fixed timelines
- Prioritization: “First come, first served” + clear prequalification criteria
- Collaboration: Involve operator expertise in grid expansion planning
Conclusion:
A seven-year connection delay is holding back Germany’s digital ambitions. To unlock the full potential of data centers as drivers of AI innovation, digital inclusion, and economic competitiveness, we need optimized processes, supportive policies, and strong cooperation between policymakers, grid operators, and industry.
¹ International Energy Agency (IEA) – Energy and AI: World Energy Outlook Special Report, Table 2.4, April 2025.
² Ebd., Figure 2.25: Transmission grid congestion costs and congestion volumes in selected markets, 2019-2023.
