For a data center in France, an accepted connection offer (PTF) gives a place in RTE's queue and reserved grid capacity. It is often the hardest asset to rebuild: land can be found, a place secured two years ago cannot be bought back. It is won with a file, and it can be lost through a missed deadline, an unpaid instalment or a poorly prepared change. The rules have tightened since 2024, and RTE opened a consultation in January 2026 to go further.
DOES YOUR SITUATION LOOK LIKE ONE OF THESE?
Xavier WatrelosHV grid connection & industrial projects
This page summarises the published rules as of October 2026. It does not replace reading your offer and its general terms, or a lawyer's advice. The version that applies to a file is the one stated by RTE or Enedis.
HOW A PROJECT ENTERS RTE'S QUEUE
One extension of up to three months, requested by registered letter at least five working days before expiry (except in some competing-request cases)
Specific terms signed without reservation, proof of land control, first instalment under the PTF schedule
A document proving project progress, or a lump sum of €1,000 per MW requested
Without acceptance in time, the PTF lapses and the lump sum paid with the request is in principle not refunded
WHAT MAKES A PROJECT LOSE ITS PLACE AT RTE
Not justifying the place every year. On each anniversary of queue entry, the project must provide a progress document or pay the €1,000 per MW lump sum, an option usable twice at most. Land control must be shown every year. Since the common procedure of August 2025, projects also provide a yearly milestone schedule and, for consumers, proof of the planned power. These rules apply since 29 June 2026 to projects that accepted an older PTF.
Asking for more than can be justified. If the requested power exceeds the justified power, RTE can reduce the connection power to 125% of the justified level, unless the applicant explains the gap.
Changing the project without measuring the effect. Under the 2024 consumer procedure, a significant change (new connection point, power increase requiring another voltage level, change in the quality or number of supplies) leads to a new PTF and a new rank. A smaller change keeps the project in place, with only the extra power ranked at the signature of the amendment. A power reduction does not cost the place, but the released power leaves the queue. The common procedure in force since August 2025 covers changes in its article 6: each case must be checked against the applicable version.
Missing the connection agreement. Under the 2024 consumer procedure, the agreement sent by RTE must be returned signed, with the advance payment, within three months, or it lapses together with the PTF. Permits must be evidenced at least three months before the agreement is sent.
Not paying or breaching the contract. Under the same procedure, a missed payment schedule or another breach can lead to termination and exit from the queue.
AND AT ENEDIS, FOR A MEDIUM-VOLTAGE CONNECTION
Enedis ranks requests by the date the file is complete and reserves power until commissioning. The procedure in force since 3 September 2026 lists the exit cases, including an offer not accepted within its validity, a change to the request, a third-party appeal against the planning permit, withdrawal or expiry of a permit, site preparation delays beyond twelve months for medium voltage, cumulative postponements of more than twelve months, or no commissioning within twelve months of the connection being made available.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE PROJECT IS SOLD
Neither RTE's nor Enedis's procedure sets a rule for transferring an offer or a queue position to another applicant. At RTE, the applicant is the current or future holder of the connection agreement, and contracts are signed with it; a third party can act under a mandate without becoming the holder. For some offers linked to a new substation (PTFp), the procedure states that the applicant's identity must remain the same, or the project leaves the queue.
Transfer conditions therefore depend on the signed contracts and on how the deal is structured. This is for a lawyer to review before signing, and often to confirm in writing with RTE. It may tighten: in its January 2026 consultation, RTE asks whether the rules on transferring connection contracts should be revised to prevent speculation.
WHAT A BUYER OR LENDER SHOULD CHECK
Payments up to date: instalments, lump sums, advances
Annual maintenance: anniversary dates, documents sent, lump sums already used
Valid land control and its duration against the timeline
Requested power versus the power the project can justify
Changes the buyer plans (power, location, phasing) and their effect on rank
Timing of the connection agreement and permits, and any appeals
Written exchanges with RTE or Enedis, and what the contracts say about transfer
WHAT WE DO
For developers: a map of every deadline, preparation of the annual documents, and analysis of each planned change before it is requested. For buyers, lenders and landowners: a review of the connection file and its risks, with a written note, alongside the deal lawyer. See distressed project acquisition, lender's technical advisor and landowners. Best-efforts obligation: grid decisions are not ours, and our technical analysis is not legal advice.
WHO IS INVOLVED
Xavier Watrelos for the connection file and exchanges with RTE, partner lawyers for contracts and transfer, coordinated by Frédéric Arnaud. See also preparing an RTE connection request and which connection document actually secures a site.
SOURCES
procédure RTE de traitement des demandes de raccordement des installations de consommation, version 5 applicable au 29 juin 2024 (annexe à la délibération CRE n° 2024-96) ; délibération CRE n° 2025-193 du 23 juillet 2025 (procédure commune de RTE) ; Documentation technique de référence de RTE, article 1.2.2, procédure en vigueur depuis le 1er août 2025 ; délibération CRE n° 2026-32 du 4 février 2026 ; consultation publique de RTE sur la refonte du raccordement, 26 janvier 2026 ; procédure Enedis-NMO-RAC_005E, version 2 applicable au 3 septembre 2026 (consommateurs BT de plus de 36 kVA et HTA) (documents in French). Updated October 2026. Procedures change: the applicable version is the one in force for your file.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When does a project enter RTE's queue?
When the PTF is accepted, within three months of receipt, with the specific terms signed without reservation, proof of land control, the first instalment and a progress document or a €1,000 per MW lump sum.
How is the place kept each year?
On each anniversary, with a progress document or the €1,000 per MW lump sum (twice at most), proof of land control and, since the 2025 procedure, a milestone schedule. These rules apply since 29 June 2026 to older PTFs.
Can a PTF be transferred with the project?
RTE's and Enedis's procedures set no rule for transfer to another applicant. Transfer depends on the signed contracts and the deal structure, to be reviewed with a lawyer and confirmed with the grid operator.