diff --git a/client/client.gen.go b/client/client.gen.go
index 37e49d44f..802fa0c09 100644
--- a/client/client.gen.go
+++ b/client/client.gen.go
@@ -110,6 +110,11 @@ type Error struct {
 
 // GridConfig defines model for GridConfig.
 type GridConfig struct {
+	// PMaxAbsImp Absolute physical grid import limit in W. Hard cap that can never be
+	// exceeded, regardless of price penalty. Use to model fuse rating or
+	// cable capacity.
+	PMaxAbsImp float32 `json:"p_max_abs_imp,omitempty"`
+
 	// PMaxExp Maximum grid export power in W
 	PMaxExp float32 `json:"p_max_exp,omitempty"`
 
diff --git a/openapi.yaml b/openapi.yaml
index 7b70bd4d8..02c71809a 100644
--- a/openapi.yaml
+++ b/openapi.yaml
@@ -180,8 +180,15 @@ components:
           type: number
           minimum: 0
           description: |
-            price per W to consider in case the import limit is exceeded. 
+            price per W to consider in case the import limit is exceeded.
             If not specified, the limit will be protected by a hard constraint.
+        p_max_abs_imp:
+          type: number
+          minimum: 0
+          description: |
+            Absolute physical grid import limit in W. Hard cap that can never be
+            exceeded, regardless of price penalty. Use to model fuse rating or
+            cable capacity.
     BatteryConfig:
       type: object
       required:
diff --git a/src/optimizer/app.py b/src/optimizer/app.py
index a7a823f6b..b0b33a147 100644
--- a/src/optimizer/app.py
+++ b/src/optimizer/app.py
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ def handle_validation_error(error):
 
 grid_model = api.model('GridConfig', {
     'p_max_imp': fields.Float(required=False, description='Maximum grid import power in W'),
+    'p_max_abs_imp': fields.Float(required=False, description='Absolute physical grid import limit in W. Hard cap that can never be exceeded.'),
     'p_max_exp': fields.Float(required=False, description='Maximum grid export power in W'),
     'prc_p_exc_imp': fields.Float(required=False, description='price per W to consider in case the import limit is exceeded. ')
 })
@@ -146,6 +147,7 @@ def post(self):
             grid_data = data.get('grid', {})
             grid = GridConfig(
                 p_max_imp=grid_data.get('p_max_imp', None),
+                p_max_abs_imp=grid_data.get('p_max_abs_imp', None),
                 p_max_exp=grid_data.get('p_max_exp', None),
                 prc_p_exc_imp=grid_data.get('prc_p_exc_imp', None)
             )
@@ -212,6 +214,8 @@ def post(self):
             result = optimizer.solve()
             return result
 
+        except ValueError as e:
+            api.abort(400, f"Invalid configuration: {str(e)}")
         except Exception as e:
             api.abort(500, f"Optimization failed: {str(e)}")
 
diff --git a/src/optimizer/optimizer.py b/src/optimizer/optimizer.py
index 6cac33ee6..8e5e60d2d 100644
--- a/src/optimizer/optimizer.py
+++ b/src/optimizer/optimizer.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ class OptimizationStrategy:
 @dataclass
 class GridConfig:
     p_max_imp: float
+    p_max_abs_imp: float
     p_max_exp: float
     prc_p_exc_imp: float
 
@@ -98,6 +99,15 @@ def __init__(self, strategy: OptimizationStrategy, grid: GridConfig, batteries:
         if self.grid.p_max_imp is not None and self.grid.prc_p_exc_imp is not None:
             self.is_grid_demand_rate_active = True
 
+        # validate p_max_abs_imp configuration
+        if self.grid.p_max_abs_imp is not None:
+            if self.grid.p_max_imp is None:
+                raise ValueError("p_max_abs_imp requires p_max_imp to be set")
+            if self.grid.p_max_abs_imp < self.grid.p_max_imp:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"p_max_abs_imp ({self.grid.p_max_abs_imp}) must be >= p_max_imp ({self.grid.p_max_imp})"
+                )
+
     def create_model(self):
         """
         Create and initialize the MILP model
@@ -392,6 +402,11 @@ def _add_energy_balance_constraints(self):
                 self.problem += self.variables['e_imp_lim_exc'][t] \
                     <= self.variables['p_max_imp_exc'] * self.time_series.dt[t] / 3600
 
+            # hard physical cap on how far above p_max_imp the import can go
+            if self.grid.p_max_abs_imp is not None:
+                self.problem += self.variables['p_max_imp_exc'] \
+                    <= self.grid.p_max_abs_imp - self.grid.p_max_imp
+
     def _add_battery_constraints(self):
         """
         Add constraints related to battery behavior to the model.