Electricity connection waiting list starts July 1: What it means for you
From July 1, households and businesses in the Netherlands may face delays for new or upgraded electricity connections due to grid congestion. This could affect plans for heat pumps, charging stations, or business expansions. Check your options now to avoid longer waits.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Start Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Affected Groups | Households, small businesses, SMEs |
| Cause | Grid congestion (high demand, limited capacity) |
| Priority Categories | 1. Grid-space creators (e.g., battery storage) |
| 2. National security (healthcare, emergency services, defense) | |
| 3. Basic needs (housing, education, public transport) | |
| Expected Grid Upgrades | Earliest completion: 2035 |
| Action for Residents | Check existing connection: Stedin |
| Action for SMEs | Apply via My Connection |
Grid operators TenneT and Stedin manage the national and regional electricity networks, ensuring reliable power supply. They are responsible for expanding and reinforcing the grid to meet growing demand, while municipalities collaborate on local infrastructure projects like distribution stations.
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Read the full translated article below
Waiting list for electricity connections for households and businesses from 1 July
Message from TenneT and Stedin
Grid operators TenneT and Stedin announce that from 1 July 2026, all applications for additional power or a new electricity connection will be placed on a waiting list. This also applies to households and small businesses in our municipality. Grid congestion in our region is the cause. Large companies already fall under these rules.
Not enough space on the power grid
In the Netherlands, we use more and more electricity at the same time. As a result, the power grid is becoming too full (grid congestion). This also happens in our municipality. There is sometimes not enough space for new or heavier connections on the grid.
Who gets priority?
For the best possible distribution of the limited capacity on the electricity network, the distribution follows national rules. This comes into effect on 1 July and is called 'the social prioritization framework'. There are three categories.
- Projects that directly create space on the electricity grid have the highest priority. Such as energy storage via battery systems. This allows more parties to use the electricity grid.
- Projects that are essential for national security. Such as emergency services, healthcare, railways, air traffic, waterways, water management, emergency services, defense, and the police.
- Projects that are seen as basic needs. Such as housing construction, education, public transport, waste management, heating supply, and housing needs.
What does this mean for residents?
For a charging station, electric cooking, or a heat pump, a heavier connection is sometimes needed.
- First, check the possibilities on your existing connection via Check your electricity connection. This prevents unnecessary costs and surprises, such as possibly longer waiting times. Always get good advice about the possibilities from a certified installer.
- Do you still need a reinforcement? Applications will no longer be automatically granted from 1 July 2026. A waiting period will apply. How long this is depends on the available network capacity at that moment. You request a heavier connection via My Connection.
What does this mean for SMEs?
For SMEs that want to become more sustainable or expand and need a heavier connection, they will be placed on a waiting list from 1 July 2026 in areas where there is grid congestion.
Who is responsible for what?
The grid operators TenneT and Stedin are expanding and reinforcing the power grid. This is expected to be ready at the earliest around 2035. The municipality works together with Stedin and TenneT in expanding the network infrastructure. Including building new distribution stations and placing electricity houses in the neighborhoods.
The municipality has made the town hall and the municipal site more sustainable. As a result, less electricity is used here. In addition, the municipality encourages residents and businesses to become more sustainable and thus use less electricity.
Do you have questions?
For more information or applications about your own connection, contact Stedin.
What can you do yourself?
The busiest times for energy consumption are between 07:00 and 09:00 in the morning and 16:00 and 21:00 in the evening. Try to use as little electricity as possible during these hours. For more information about this, visit the website zetookdeknopom.nl.
You can also make your home more sustainable. Start by insulating your home. For example, your roof, floor, or windows. We also have insulation subsidies for this.
For more information about grid congestion, visit the grid congestion information page.