Statnett halts new grid reservations for data centres until August 2027; 9,100 MW waiting in the queue

Statnett announced on 9 November a temporary halt to new grid capacity reservations for data centres, as well as to the processing of new applications for approval of facility functionality under the system responsibility regulation. The measure is expected to be lifted by 1 August 2027 at the latest.

What was decided. According to the operator, the pause applies to large consumers with a distinctive consumption profile, typically data centres, seeking a grid connection. Processing of applications already received for facilities to be connected directly to the 420 kV grid is also halted. Statnett stresses that this is not a general halt: facilities whose functional requirements have been approved can be connected, and existing connections are not affected.

The figures. In Norway, 800 MW of data centres are already connected, 4,200 MW have reserved capacity and 9,100 MW are waiting in the queue. Further connection requests add up to another 18,000 MW. By comparison, the country's peak power consumption is just over 25,000 MW, Statnett says.

Why. Peer Olav Østli, Statnett's executive vice president for system operation and markets, said data centres “have technical characteristics that are of great importance for safe and stable system operation”. They can have large and rapid changes in power, software-controlled load and greater vulnerability to disturbances. Statnett wants to set functional requirements for these facilities, which must be approved by the regulator RME.

What comes next. According to NRK and E24, the government announced it is starting work on a licensing scheme for data centres in order to keep their growth under control. The industry association Norsk datasenterindustri warned that the measures create uncertainty for investments worth billions of kroner.

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