Anvisningssystem

A proposed Svenska kraftnät mechanism for allocating transmission grid connection capacity to certain customer categories through geographically defined zones, rather than through the current first-come-first-served connection queue. Proposed in Svk’s April 2026 government assignment report (Dnr 2025/5008); further development required before implementation. (Source - Svk Anslutningsprocessen Rapport (2026))

Background

Svenska kraftnät‘s transmission grid connection queue for input (generation) has accumulated to over 175 GW applied for over 2020–2025, against a Swedish peak load of only ~25 GW — Svk’s own report compares the smaller, already-reduced current queue to peak load and calls it “more than twice as high”; the often-quoted ~7× figure divides the cumulative 2020–2025 applied-for total by peak load, a wiki-derived comparison rather than one the source document itself makes. (Source - Svk Network Development Plan 2026-2035) While most applications will not materialize, the queue creates delays, uncertainty, and system planning inefficiency. The current principle is queue order (first application, first connection), supplemented by a maturity assessment (mognadsgradering). For offshore wind, Svk already operates a different model — an anvisningssystem where projects compete on permit maturity within defined sea areas. The April 2026 report proposes extending this model to land-based connections for certain customer categories.

The geographic framework underlying kapacitetszoner zones is Svk’s companion report Planering för ökad elanvändning (KN2025/00635, February 2025), which established four localization principles for where production, consumption, and flexibility resources should connect. The September 2025 government decision (KN2025/01694) assigning the connection-process review from which the anvisningssystem emerged explicitly builds on that report. (Source - Svk Planering för ökad elanvändning (2025), Source - Svk Uppdrag Anslutningsprocessen Regeringsbeslut (2025))

Kapacitetszoner — the geographic layer

A kapacitetszon (capacity zone) is a geographically defined area containing one or more transmission connection points, with:

• Reserved capacity for a specified customer category or for connections delivering system benefit (systemnytta)
• An intressentpool — the allocation mechanism through which competing projects within the zone advance (see below)
• Zone-specific criteria governing which types of customer may enter

A separate, transmission-network-wide kapacitetskarta tool is described elsewhere in the report — it is not itself a stated property of a kapacitetszon. Svk has already published a first, general-purpose transmission-level kapacitetskarta (live since May 2026, county/län-granularity, indicative capacity for 2026 plus tilldelad/reserverad/ansökt out to 2035). This is the precursor to, not yet the zone-specific map the kapacitetszon concept itself describes — Svk has stated the formal kapacitetskarta envisaged for the anvisningssystem would show capacity at kapacitetszon (connection-point) level with 5- and 10-year horizons. (Source - Svk Kapacitetskarta 2026)

Zones are designed to generate locational signals: by concentrating certain customer categories in areas where their load profile or technical characteristics create system benefit (e.g., large consumption co-located with generation surplus to reduce transmission needs, or consumption with specific flexibility or voltage regulation capabilities), the anvisningssystem can guide electrification in systemically efficient directions.

A fictive example given in the report: a large-scale hydrogen production zone sited near generation surplus areas, with entry conditions including commitments to follow the local production profile and provide voltage regulation through converter design.

The zone concept differs from conventional grid planning by introducing reservation (setting aside capacity for a category before individual projects qualify) alongside a competitive allocation process within that reservation. This allows Svk to shape the geographic and technological mix of new large-scale connections rather than passively connecting whoever arrives first.

Intressentpooler — the allocation layer

Within a kapacitetszon, competing projects enter an intressentpool (stakeholder pool) and compete for the reserved capacity. The primary criterion is tillståndsmässig mognad (permit maturity) — the principle already used in the offshore wind anvisningssystem. A project with approved permits and closer-to-ready status advances ahead of one still in early planning.

For customer categories where regulatory permits are not required, or where permits alone are insufficient to distinguish readiness, åtaganden (binding commitments) serve as supplementary criteria — for instance, a binding agreement to provide a specified flexibility service, or an agreement tying new consumption to new fossil-free production.

Why auctions were rejected: Svk explicitly assessed and rejected auctions of connection rights. Risks: (a) favour large actors with strong balance sheets over smaller and innovative projects; (b) potentially allocate to the highest bidder rather than the most ready project; (c) risk creating a secondary market for reserved transmission capacity, complicating congestion management. Svk’s assessment is that the maturity-plus-commitments model is more effective and non-discriminatory.

Customer categories in scope

The anvisningssystem would apply to selected customer categories where the system benefits of locational guidance are greatest. Candidates discussed in the report include:

• Storskalig elanvändning (large-scale electricity use) — primarily data centers and other fast-establishing, price-insensitive load
• Storskalig elproduktion — the offshore wind model already applies; possible extension to onshore wind clusters or hydrogen-coupled generation
• Customer categories providing explicit systemnytta — flexibility, voltage regulation, or specific load profile matching that reduces transmission expansion needs

The precise list of customer categories, specific zone locations, and exact maturity criteria require further development after the report’s publication.

Fossil-free production requirements

The report raises — but does not resolve — whether new large-scale electricity users should be required to arrange supply of new fossil-free production as a condition of connection. The concern is structural: data centers and similar facilities can establish in months, while fossil-free generation typically takes years to permit and build. If consumption grows faster than production, a national energy deficit emerges even if the physical grid can deliver the power.

A local case in the same debate: Google’s planned data centre in Timrå (contract up to 2 GW, in phases), where the finance-market minister said in September 2026 that no tool exists to require large consumers to pay for new generation, and the Social Democrats have asked for co-financing requirements (Source - DN Googles Datacenter Torsboda Timrå (2026)).

Proposed structure for such a requirement:

• Annual energy from new fossil-free production must meet a specified proportion of consumption
• Production profile should match consumption, especially during high-load periods
• Geographic proximity is preferred (reducing transmission needs)
• The requirement may be limited to industries with high establishment speed and low price sensitivity

PPAs (or equivalent binding agreements) would serve as the verification instrument. See Power Purchase Agreement › As connection condition in anvisningssystem.

Relationship to villkorade avtal

The anvisningssystem operates at a different level from Villkorade Avtal. Villkorade avtal are DSO-level operational tools — they manage grid congestion after connection by allowing the DSO to curtail customers. The anvisningssystem is a TSO-level allocation tool — it shapes which projects connect and where, upstream of the connection event. The two mechanisms are complementary: anvisningssystem conditions can include a commitment to operate under a conditional connection regime once connected.

Linked applications and coordination

The report also proposes linked applications (länkade ansökningar or matchning): production and consumption applicants can file jointly, treated as a coordinated package by the regional grid company. This reduces net capacity demand on the transmission grid, potentially enabling faster and cheaper connection for both parties. Svk will develop principles for affärsmatchning to enable this.

Implementation status and timeline

Svk’s stated ambition is to begin implementing the anvisningssystem in 2027, with a pilot planned for H1 2027 (confirmed June 2026). (Source - Svk Anslutningsprocessen Webb (2025), Source - Svk Mogna Initiativ Anslutning (2026))

By June 2026 the supporting reforms were already showing results: the connection queue has been halved, lead time to förhandsbesked cut ~30%, and >5,000 MW of förhandsbesked issued in 2025/early 2026, after maturity requirements and active queue follow-up were introduced in 2024. A mandatory trepartsdialog now applies to certain regional-grid connections. (Source - Svk Mogna Initiativ Anslutning (2026))

Further work needed after the April 2026 report:

• Define precise customer categories in scope
• Develop zone boundaries and publish zone-specific kapacitetskartor (a first general-purpose transmission-level kapacitetskarta is already live, county-level rather than zone-specific — see below)
• Establish intressentpool criteria and permissible åtaganden
• Analyse legal basis for fossil-free production requirements
• Develop the ansökningsplattform to support business matching

The assignment also included a separate deliverable: a vägledning om kostnadsfördelning (cost allocation guidance) for new transmission connections and subscription expansions — addressing how costs are shared between parties when new connections or expansions are made. This guidance is not yet published separately from the main report.

The report recommends that Ei analyse whether ellagen needs amendment to ensure the “lowest appropriate voltage level” referral principle operates consistently — a non-binding ställningstagande is insufficient.

Data gaps

• Legal basis and formal regulatory/legislative pathway for implementing the anvisningssystem — does it require ellagen amendments or is it within Svk’s existing authority?
• Specific customer categories to be covered — which categories qualify, based on what criteria?
• Legal feasibility of fossil-free production requirements for new large-scale consumers (data centers specifically)
• Content of the kostnadsfördelningsvägledning (cost allocation guidance) — not yet published separately

Cross-references

• Svenska kraftnät — proposing actor; government assignment context
• Congestion Management — kapacitetszoner as a locational tool for managing future transmission constraints
• Villkorade Avtal — DSO-level complement; operational tool after connection
• Power Purchase Agreement — PPAs as verification mechanism for anvisningssystem conditions
• Demand Response — flexibility as an entry criterion or connection condition in certain zones
• Distribution System Operator — coordination between Svk and regional/local grid companies in the new framework