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BERLIN, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Germany plans to allocate up to 7.6 billion euros ($8.9 billion) in the coming years towards acquiring a stake in electricity grid operator TenneT's German unit, according to a finance ministry draft budget document seen by Reuters. With more than 14,000 kilometres (8,700 miles) of power lines, TenneT Germany is the country's biggest operator of high-voltage transmission grids, upgrades of which have been key to strengthening grids during times of more renewable input. Sign up here. The document foresees around 102 million euros in expenditures for 2026 and makes commitments for the following years with the remaining 7.48 billion euros. According to the document, Berlin's aim is to secure the financing of grid expansion and security of supply in Germany in the long term. The funds are initially subject to a budget freeze and may only be released with the approval of the budget committee. The Dutch government said in September it is selling 46% of the unit to an investor consortium, following an unsuccessful attempt to sell it to Berlin last year under the previous government. The September deal was expected to spur efforts by Berlin to take a stake via state-owned lender KfW (KFW.UL), and the economy ministry confirmed at the time that it continues to consider a minority stake. The Handelsblatt business newspaper first reported on Wednesday on the inclusion of the TenneT unit in ministry budget documents. ($1 = 0.8575 euros) Reporting by Holger Hansen, writing by Miranda Murray, editing by Thomas Seythal
