Some German power plants no longer produce electricity for the market, but they are not allowed to shut down for good. They are system-relevant and form the Netzreserve, the grid reserve. They run only when the operators of the transmission grid call for them. The cost of keeping them ready, and of using them, is paid through grid fees. In May 2026, the Federal Network Agency confirmed a need of 7,407 megawatts of reserve plants for the winter of 2026 to 2027. German plants cover 4,742 megawatts. The remaining 2,665 megawatts are to come from plants in neighboring countries. The agency’s president, Klaus Müller, said that the reserve is needed until the grids are better expanded.