Fingrid’s new requirements for large demand facilities are turning grid connection into a critical design question for more and more projects.
In a data center project, grid connection and the upcoming technical requirements must be built into the design and equipment selection early enough. When requirements are only noticed during procurement or construction, changes are costly and schedules slip.Data center projects are rapidly increasing electricity demand in Finland. According to Fingrid, the planned final combined capacity of data center projects with a signed connection agreement was close to five gigawatts in August 2026. A connection agreement is not yet a finished project, but the direction is clear: the power grid is becoming an ever more central factor for data centers.
What has changed
On 12 June 2026, Fingrid published a draft of its new Grid Code Specifications for Demand Connections (KJV2026) for public consultation. The consultation closed on 21 August 2026, and Fingrid is targeting entry into force in March 2027, subject to confirmation by the Energy Authority.KJV2026 sets significant requirements for demand facilities above 30 MW, such as data centers, electric boilers and electrolysers. Key requirements include:
- disturbance withstand capability: the facility must ride through grid disturbances (a fault ride-through requirement for demand facilities)
- the ability to limit power intake from the grid
On the same day, Fingrid also published a separate document, Technical requirements for large demand facilities, which applies immediately to demand facilities connected directly to the transmission grid. Facilities connected to distribution networks will be covered once the Energy Authority has confirmed KJV2026. In addition, the government’s work on prioritising grid connections is still at draft stage, and its development is worth following.
Why this is a design question, not just a permitting question
A data center’s electrical system consists largely of power electronics: UPS units, rectifiers and variable-speed drives in the cooling systems. How these behave during a grid disturbance determines whether the facility meets the requirements – and compliance has to be demonstrated, not just claimed. That is why the requirements need to be understood already when equipment is selected.
Ampner’s perspective
Ampner helps customers with what is too often considered too late: understanding grid connection requirements and demonstrating compliance. In practice, this means grid code compliance studies, dynamic modelling and simulations, compliance testing, and electrical design including short-circuit, protection and reactive power studies – from the grid connection concept to proven compliance.
For a project developer, the simplest steps are often the most effective:
- Clarify the requirements early. The connection point, voltage level, and whether the connection is to the transmission or distribution network determine which requirements apply.
- Consider the requirements in equipment procurement. It is easier to verify equipment capabilities before procurement decisions are final.
- Model and simulate early. Dynamic behaviour should be verified before problems surface during construction or commissioning.
The conversation continues
Grid questions for data centers are also on the agenda at the Nordic AI Forum in Helsinki on 27 October, which includes a panel on grid capacity. Ampner will be taking part.If your data center grid connection is in planning, or you are wondering how to meet the requirements, get in touch with Ampner.
Sources
- Fingrid: Draft for comments: KJV2026 Grid code specifications for demand connections (consultation 12 June-21 August 2026, target entry into force March 2027)
- Fingrid: Technical requirements for large demand facilities (published 12 June 2026, in Finnish)
- Fingrid: Grid code specifications for demand connections
- Fingrid’s 18 August 2026 release on data center connection agreements, as reported by Auron Energy Nordic: Fingrid: sähkönkulutus kasvaa, joustoa tarvitaan lisää (in Finnish)
- Grid connection prioritisation: iTechGuides: What Finland’s proposed grid connection queue means for data center developers (status as of 7 October 2026)
