On 28 June 2024, the transmission system operators (TSOs) submitted their draft of the Scenario Framework for the Network Development Plan (NDP) 2037/2045 (2025) to the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA). The agency launched the draft for public consultation in September 2024 and approved it on 30 April 2025.
Based on the scenario framework approved by the BNetzA, the TSOs have prepared the first draft of the NDP 2037/2045 (2025) and published it on 10 December 2025. This marks the start of the public consultation, in which the everyone can participate online or by email until 14 January 2026. After evaluating the submitted statements, the TSOs will present the second draft of the NDP 2037/2045 (2025) and submit it to the BNetzA for review.
Starting with this Network Development Plan, the TSOs have agreed to present all projects and measures in the new Digital Project Library (in German).
Scenario Framework for NDP 2037/2045 (2025)
With the draft Scenario Framework for the NDP 2037/2045 (2025), the TSOs have for the second time developed a database that takes into account different technical solutions and different speeds on the path to greenhouse gas neutrality. In this draft, the TSOs again present three scenarios for each of the years 2037 and 2045. These scenarios depict the range of probable developments for the future electricity supply in Germany and Europe.
The resulting Scenario Framework to be approved by the BNetzA forms the basis for planning the grid expansion in the next NDP. Compared to the previous Scenario Framework, there have been a number of further developments: The amendment to the Energy Industry Act harmonises the process flow in the network development plans for electricity, gas and hydrogen. For the first time, this provides the opportunity to synchronise the respective scenarios in line with sector coupling. The framework for this is provided by the system development strategy of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
Documents relating to the Scenario Framework for download
NDP 2037/2045 (2025)
1st draft
For the first time, a significantly broader scenario corridor serves as the basis for network development planning. The NDP maintains a clear focus on the climate-neutral power grid for 2045 and presents the two scenario paths A and B for the target years 2037 and 2045.
The results for scenario path C will be published with the second draft, together with a 2032 trend scenario. An additional scenario A 2037+, featuring a higher onshore wind capacity, will be published in 2026 as a special report to the NDP.
Scenario path A assumes a lower and more gradually increasing electricity demand. The expansion of photovoltaics and onshore and offshore wind is more moderate than in scenario path B, which is aligned with energy and climate policy targets. At the same time, the importance of large-scale battery storage increases significantly across all scenarios.
Some grid expansion measures confirmed in the previous NDP prove their robustness in the NDP 2037/2045 (2025) particularly in the long-term horizon of 2045, enabling a more gradual and time-staggered implementation of the required network expansion.
For the first time, offshore optimisations are applied: the focus lies on actual energy yield. Adjusted area layouts, better utilisation of grid connections and strengthened European interconnection allow for a reduction in the required offshore grid connection systems.
Market shortages in technical components and services have led to significant cost increases compared to previous assumptions. The new NDP therefore places greater emphasis on achieving an optimal balance between investment costs, remaining requirements for congestion management and overall grid security – a key lever for improving economic efficiency.
The NDP for Download
Additional materials relating to the NDP
All graphics, tables and texts from the first draft of the Network Development Plan Electricity 2037/2045 (2025), are licensed under Creative Commons licence CC BY 4.0. The text of the licence is available at creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.
An example for proper referencing is: Network Development Plan Electricity 2037/2045, (2025), first draft | Transmission System Operators CC-BY-4.0
For adaptations/edits: Network Development Plan Electricity 2037/2045, (2023), first draft | Transmission System Operators (M) CC-BY-4.0
Excluded from this rule are graphics, tables and texts with a different or additional source. Maps can be used with reference to the source and licence indicated there.
