Test plan

The test plan serves to increase safety in the event of an emergency. The test plan for checking the equipment and capabilities relevant to the system protection plan and the network restoration plan in accordance with Art. 43 Para. 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2196 (E&R Regulation) was approved by Decision Chamber 6 of the Federal Network Agency on 12.11.2020 under file number BK6-19-249. 

Information and announcements on network recovery attempts

August 22, 2026, Berlin: 50Hertz – Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG, Black Start GTKW Thyrow and Schwarze Pumpe Power Plant

Under the Network Code for Emergency and Restoration (NC ER) and the resulting test plan, TSOs are required to conduct operational tests at least once every five years with units capable of black start and generation within the control area. At 50Hertz, Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG, among others, serves as the black start service provider via the Thyrow gas turbine power plant. An operational test to simulate grid restoration is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, using this facility and the partner power plant Schwarze Pumpe. Preparations and follow-up activities will also take place on the day before and the day after the test.

Consultation of the test plan

Before the current regulations were approved, they went through a consultation process. 

Below you will find all relevant information on the consultation of the test plan pursuant to Article 7 of the "Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2196 of November 24, 2017 establishing a Network Code on Network Emergency and Restoration of the transmission system" (hereinafter referred to as Network Code Emergency and Restoration, or NC ER) by the four transmission system operators.

The most recent messages are at the top; the same applies to the documents attached below.

19.01.2021 - Application for test plan approved by the Federal Network Agency

The test plan application was approved by the Federal Network Agency's Ruling Chamber 6 on 12.11.2020 under file number BK6-19-249 and published by the Federal Network Agency on 23.11.2020. The specified tests are to be carried out and documented by the test managers in accordance with the specifications.

18.12.2019 - Test plan application submitted and documents published

The application for the test plan was submitted by the TSOs to the Federal Network Agency. The test plan and the consultation report, including all comments from market participants and corresponding justifications from the TSOs, have been published. The TSOs would like to thank all participants for submitting their comments!

23.10.2019 - Consultation launched

Background:

On December 18, 2017, the "Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2196 of November 24, 2017 establishing a Network Code on Network Emergency and Restoration of the Transmission System" (hereinafter referred to as Network Code Emergency and Restoration, or NC ER) entered into force.

Against this background, the German transmission system operators (TSOs) are obliged to consult all affected market players on a proposal for the test plan in accordance with Article 7 NC ER. This test plan - taking into account the consultation feedback - must ultimately be approved by the competent regulatory authority in accordance with Article 4 (2) NC ER.

In this respect, the German transmission system operators will consult the test plan in accordance with the NC ER from 23.10.2019.

Consultation procedure

The TSOs published the proposal to be consulted at the start of the consultation process.

The proposal of the test plan will be consulted by the TSOs in the period from 23.10.2019 12:00 noon to 23.11.2019 12:00 noon.

The TSOs only offer an online form for the submission of comments. In this way, the TSOs can ensure that your comments are recorded and taken into account promptly and in full.

Please note that the TSOs reserve the right to publish the comments received on the Internet; in any case, these will also be submitted to the BNetzA. If your comments contain trade and business secrets, please mark these in the appropriate place on the form.

Please direct any procedural questions you may have exclusively to the following e-mail address: Testplan@netztransparenz.de.

After evaluating and assessing all consultation contributions submitted within the deadline, the TSOs will submit the test plan to the BNetzA for approval on December 18, 2019.