Flex›Anvisningssystem

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 exceeded 175 GW of requested input capacity as of 2025 — roughly 7× Sweden’s peak load. 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 anvisningssystem analysis 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)
  • A kapacitetskarta — a publicly visible map showing available connection capacity at current, 5-year, and 10-year horizons
  • Zone-specific criteria governing which types of customer may enter

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 (some data center developments, certain industrial processes), 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.

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. (Source - Svk Anslutningsprocessen Webb (2025))

Further work needed after the April 2026 report:

  • Define precise customer categories in scope
  • Develop zone boundaries and publish kapacitetskarta
  • 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