Statnett pauses new data-center grid reservations until 2027

Statnett said it is pausing new grid-capacity reservations for data centers, and pausing work on new applications to approve how those facilities behave on the grid. The Norwegian system operator said the stop is expected to be lifted by August 1, 2027 at the latest.

The pause covers new reservations and new approvals. Statnett said the measures are a temporary stop on new connection reservations, and a temporary stop on processing new applications for approval of facility functionality under the system-responsibility rules. It also said it is stopping work on applications already received for facilities that would connect directly to the 420 kilovolt grid. It said the measures cover large customers with an unusual demand profile, typically data centers.

Approved projects can still connect. Statnett said the decision is not a general stop on connecting data centers. Facilities that have already had the required functional requirements approved can still connect. Existing connections are not affected. Applications already in process for regional-grid connections with a near-term start date will not be stopped. Statnett said it will also consider taking some applications for smaller facilities planned before August 1, 2027.

The queue is larger than today's peak demand. Statnett said 800 megawatts of data-center load are connected today, and that 4,200 megawatts already have reserved capacity. It said 9,100 megawatts are in the capacity queue, and that requests for a further 18,000 megawatts are on file. It said Norway's maximum power use is a little over 25,000 megawatts.

The operator said it needs new rules first. Peer Olav Østli, executive vice president for system operation and markets, said the pause is needed so Statnett can put tools and a framework in place. The notice said new functional requirements will go out for comment and must be approved by the energy regulator RME. It said capacity freed by the pause will not be given to other customers ahead of data centers already in line.