When drawing up the implementation plans, the transmission system operators (TSOs) did not confine themselves to the minimum requirements set out in Section 13k of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG); instead, together with the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), they actively engaged with the industry to gather relevant perspectives on the subject. Furthermore, the industry was closely involved in the process of drawing up the plans and kept informed about their details.
Information session on 22 January 2026
From 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2026, the ‘Utilisation instead of curtailment’ system service, in accordance with Section 13k of the Energy Act (EnWG), will be in a trial phase, which involves a flat-rate allocation procedure. From 1 October 2026, curtailment electricity volumes will be allocated through a competitive procedure. As part of this process, the four TSOs organised a joint online information session regarding the forthcoming competitive procedure. This took place on Thursday, 22 January 2026. The information session was aimed in particular at interested operators of switchable loads acting as ‘load shedding facilities’, affected grid operators and relevant associations.
During the event, the TSOs reported on the experience gained during the trial phase since October 2024. They also provided information on the current status of the key points for the competitive tendering concept and the associated operational process from October 2026 onwards. The TSOs invited feedback from the industry by 31 January 2026.
The key points for the target concept were subsequently submitted to the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) in the form of Implementation Concept 2.0 for review and approval. It was published on 1 April 2026. The operational processes and contractual documents were adapted on the basis of Implementation Concept 2.0. The amended framework conditions are then due to come into force on 1 October 2026.