# FLAP-D grid connection thresholds for data centers

> In Europe’s core markets, rationing starts at small sizes: **3.5 MW** in Frankfurt (above 1 MW in local bottlenecks), **3.5 MVA** in Berlin, **5 MVA** with a 2,000 m² floor cap in Amsterdam, about **40 MW** before a Paris-area project moves from Enedis to RTE, **1 MVA** in Dublin, and multi-year waits above 1 MVA in West London.

By Razvan Toma, Founder & CEO, Ampervia · Last checked 2026-10-12 · https://ampervia.com/rules/flap-d-grid-connection-thresholds/

## Key facts

- Ireland: data centres at or above 1 MVA must show a credible plan to meet at least 80% of annual demand from new Irish renewable generation, within a six-year glide path (Mason Hayes & Curran).
- Berlin’s first allocation: about 2,300 MVA requested against 365 MVA available (ingenieur.de).

_Where connection rules change, by city_

| City | Threshold | What happens above it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt | 3.5 MW (1 MW in bottlenecks) | Pro-rata allocation of new requests by NRM | ingenieur.de |
| Berlin | 3.5 MVA | Annual allocation; 37 of 70 requests got capacity in the first round | ingenieur.de, Raue |
| Amsterdam | 5 MVA and 2,000 m² | Zoning restricts new or expanded data centers | Gemeenteblad 2026-433374 |
| Paris region | ≈40 MW | Connection moves from Enedis distribution to RTE transmission | Grid Readiness |
| Dublin | 1 MVA | CRU rules: 1–10 MVA needs an autoproducer covering 100% of MIC | Mason Hayes & Curran |
| West London | 1 MVA | Multi-year waits, some connection dates toward 2035 | Data Centre Axis |

## Sources

1. [ingenieur.de — how Germany allocates data center connections](https://www.ingenieur.de/technik/fachbereiche/kuenstliche-intelligenz/zu-wenig-strom-fur-ki-wie-deutschland-jetzt-anschlusse-fur-rechenzentren-verteilt/)
2. [Raue — BNetzA decision on Berlin’s allocation procedure](https://raue.com/aktuell/branchen/energie-und-klimaschutz/energie/netzanschluss-von-rechenzentren-bnetza-entscheidet-zum-berliner-repartierungsverfahren/)
3. [Gemeenteblad 2026-433374 — Datacenters Amsterdam](https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/gmb-2026-433374.html)
4. [Grid Readiness — raccordement data center (France)](https://gridreadiness.com/raccordement-data-center)
5. [Mason Hayes & Curran — new data centre connection rules](https://www.mhc.ie/latest/insights/new-data-centre-connection-rules)
6. [Data Centre Axis — West London grid](https://datacentreaxis.com/uk/intel/west-london-grid/)

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