New grid connection in Germany: deadlines, complaints

The short answer

A new home, a heat pump, a charging point or solar panels can need a new or bigger connection. The grid operator does this work, and many countries set deadlines and rules on costs.

📜 The rules in Germany

Grid connection

Your local grid operator connects your home (NAV for electricity, NDAV for gas). Connection costs and any construction contribution must be itemised separately. For electricity, a construction contribution only applies above 30 kW, so a normal household connection is usually not affected.

A construction contribution may cover at most half of the costs of building or reinforcing the local grid. For gas it can be charged regardless of capacity. (bundesnetzagentur.de)
Solar: the grid operator must connect renewable plants without delay and with priority (§ 8 EEG). For up to 30 kW on a plot that already has a connection, the existing connection point counts as the best one. (gesetze-im-internet.de)
After your request the grid operator must send a precise timetable without delay, and full information within eight weeks at the latest. If it misses the one-month timetable deadline for a small plant, the plant may be connected following the technical rules. (gesetze-im-internet.de)

Clearingstelle EEG|KWKGNeutral body run on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs; answers questions and settles disputes on renewable-energy law, e.g. solar connection. First enquiries are free.🔗 clearingstelle-eeg-kwkg.de

Official source: bundesnetzagentur.de · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

Apply to the grid operatorApply to the grid operator for your address, not your supplier. Say what you want to connect and the capacity you need.
Ask for a quote and a dateThe grid operator should tell you the cost and when the work will be done. See the rules for Germany below.
Keep track of deadlinesWrite down the dates. If a deadline is missed, ask why in writing.
Complain if it goes wrongComplain to the grid operator first, then to the body named below.

📇 Who to contact

Clearingstelle EEG|KWKGNeutral body run on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs; answers questions and settles disputes on renewable-energy law, e.g. solar connection. First enquiries are free.🔗 www.clearingstelle-eeg-kwkg.de

Bundesnetzagentur (Verbraucherservice Energie)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 0228 14 15 16 🔗 www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Vportal/Energie/start.html

Schlichtungsstelle Energie e. V.Settles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 030 / 27 57 240-0 🔗 www.schlichtungsstelle-energie.de

❓ Questions

Who pays for the connection?

Usually the customer pays a connection charge set by the grid operator or the regulator.

Why does my grid operator refuse or delay?

Sometimes the local grid is full. Ask for the reason and the expected date in writing.

Do I need a new connection for solar panels?

Often not for small systems, but you usually have to register them with the grid operator.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-30

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

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🔗 New or bigger grid connection in Germany: how long may it take and who do I complain to?