Factsheet for measure
DK-2026-25/4329
– measures in Denmark
Government proposes emergency plan to prioritise electricity grid access over data centres
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Background information
Denmark is facing increasing pressure on its electricity grid due to growing demand for grid connections from households, businesses and large-scale energy consumers. According to the government, the existing first-come, first-served approach for granting access to grid capacity is no longer adequate, as limited capacity risks delaying electrification and the green transition. In response, the government announced an emergency plan that would allow Energinet and distribution system operators to prioritise grid connections based on societal needs. Under the proposal, critical sectors such as healthcare, defence, businesses and households seeking connections for electric vehicle chargers or heat pumps would be prioritised ahead of large data centres. The measure was announced in June 2026 and is expected to form the basis for legislation following political negotiations in Parliament
The measure was also announced against a backdrop of renewed concerns about energy security and the impact of rising global energy prices following disruptions to international oil and gas markets, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. By prioritising grid capacity for households, businesses and critical services, the government aims to support electrification and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Content of measure
The government has proposed an emergency plan to address growing capacity constraints in Denmark’s electricity grid. The measure would replace the current first-come, first-served principle with a system that allows Energinet and network operators to prioritise connections based on societal needs. Under the proposal, critical sectors such as healthcare, defence, businesses and households seeking connections for electric vehicle chargers or heat pumps would be prioritised ahead of large data centres. The aim is to support electrification, strengthen energy security and ensure that limited grid capacity contributes to the green transition. The measure does not provide direct financial support but introduces a new regulatory framework for allocating access to electricity infrastructure. It was announced in June 2026 and is expected to be followed by legislation after political negotiations. The initiative also reflects concerns about energy security following recent volatility in global energy markets.
Use of measure
As the measure was only announced in June 2026, no information is yet available on the number of beneficiaries or the uptake of the scheme. The proposal is not based on direct financial support but on a new regulatory framework for allocating access to electricity grid capacity. Potential beneficiaries include households seeking connections for electric vehicle charging points or heat pumps, businesses requiring grid access, and public services such as healthcare and defence. The government expects the measure to ensure that limited grid capacity is directed towards projects with a higher societal value rather than large electricity-intensive data centres. No assessment of effectiveness is yet available, as the proposal has not been implemented.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
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No special funding required
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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No involvement
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No involvement
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
No involvement of social partners has been reported in the design of the measure. The proposal was developed and announced by the government as a response to increasing constraints in the Danish electricity grid. According to the information available, neither employers’ organisations nor trade unions were consulted or directly involved in designing, implementing or monitoring the measure. The initiative concerns the regulation and prioritisation of electricity grid access and therefore falls outside the traditional domain of social dialogue. Discussions on the proposal have so far taken place between the government and parliamentary parties.
Views and reactions
Employer organisations have expressed partial support for the measure. Dansk Industri (DI) agrees that temporary prioritisation of scarce electricity grid capacity may be necessary given current network constraints. However, DI has warned against systematically placing data centres at the back of the queue, arguing that they form part of Denmark’s critical digital infrastructure and support investments, jobs and digitalisation. investments, jobs and digitalisation. DI has instead called for regulatory changes that would allow large electricity consumers, including data centres, to develop and directly connect local renewable energy generation, storage facilities and energy hubs. According to DI, such reforms could reduce pressure on the electricity grid and limit the need for strict prioritisation between different users. No reactions from trade unions have been identified.
Sources
