Danish transmission system operator Energinet has introduced a temporary halt on signing new grid connection agreements after requests for electricity capacity climbed to around 60GW, well above Denmark’s peak consumption of roughly 7GW.
The company said a sharp rise in applications from data centres, battery projects and Power-to-X facilities has brought the transmission network close to its limits.
Kim Willerslev Jakobsen, director of system responsibility at Energinet, said the three-month pause is intended to create “calm and overview” to ensure capacity is allocated responsibly.
The suspension will remain in place for up to three months or until the operator has assessed the impact of current demand and implemented measures to expand available capacity. Projects that have already signed grid connection agreements will not be affected, while others should expect longer processing times.
Energinet said it is accelerating work on an emergency package aimed at freeing up grid capacity and improving coordination between the transmission and distribution networks. The measures include faster investment decisions, short-term technical solutions and tighter, standardised prioritisation of projects in the connection queue.
Jakobsen said the electricity grid functions as “one integrated system” and requires faster decisions and stricter prioritisation to safeguard stability and enable sustainable growth.
The operator will prioritise the most mature projects and those able to deliver tangible capacity effects within existing regulatory frameworks.
Energinet added that similar pressures are emerging across Europe as grid infrastructure, originally designed for lower and more predictable demand patterns, faces growing strain from electrification and new industrial loads.
Jakobsen said electrification remains central to climate policy, competitiveness and security of supply, describing the pause as a necessary step to ensure responsible use of grid capacity and adaptation to a “new reality”.
