This evolution of the Technical Reference Documentation covers:

• The implementation of pooling areas for connecting consumers and distribution network operators to the public transmission network;
• The modification by RTE of demand connection power for connected clients, along with other measures to encourage proper sizing of connection requests;
• The merging of the connection request handling procedure applicable to consumers with that for producers, storage operators, and mixed sites;
• The description of a simplified customer journey for the addition of category A production or storage units, and the technical requirements applicable to these facilities.

The introduction of pooling areas completes RTE’s rollout of the provisions of the APER law for consumer connections. It shifts from a project-by-project approach to a logic of planning ahead and sharing infrastructure at the scale of a geographical area. The aim is to prepare the network for the electrification of industrial zones and the massive arrival of data centers by building new high-capacity infrastructure able to host several industrial players, while controlling costs, lead times, and the environmental impact of these connections.

The modification of demand connection power is permitted by ordinance no. 2023-816 of August 23, 2023. Its implementation, together with measures to encourage optimal power sizing and transparency regarding the customer’s project timeline, will help avoid artificial network saturation and rationalize the works undertaken.

The documents that have been updated are: the connection procedure, standard templates for the Technical and Financial Proposal and Connection Agreement, technical specifications for construction capacity, and conformity inspection templates.

The new procedure applies as of August 1, 2025. The CRE validated these changes on July 23, 2025

August 01st, 2025