Cabinet helps companies struggling due to full power grid

From April 1, companies and institutions that are struggling due to the full power grid can apply for subsidies to hire advice and/or make investments to continue with their growth or sustainability plans. The goal is for companies to move forward with practical solutions without having to wait for a heavier connection to the power grid. A budget of €62 million is available for this scheme.

The power grid is not full 24 hours a day in most places, but especially during peak hours when companies and households use a lot of power at the same time, for example between 4 PM and 9 PM. If a company can limit its power consumption during peak hours, it may still be possible to grow and/or become more sustainable. In practice, this is often not easy to organize, which is why the government is helping companies with this.

The cabinet is also continuing to focus on expanding the power grid as quickly as possible, as the power grid is reaching its limits across the Netherlands. Companies with a large consumer connection that want a new or heavier connection, for example to expand or become more sustainable, will be placed on a waiting list. Network operators and the government are working to expand the power grid as quickly as possible, but this takes time. It is therefore important to utilize the capacity of the power grid better.

With the new Flex-e scheme, companies and institutions with a connection of 100kW or more can hire expertise on-site to map out the possibilities. This can be done, for example, by controlling devices to avoid the peak on the power grid, storing heat or electricity on their own premises, and/or switching to another type of contract with the network operator. The scheme reimburses up to half of the costs for the advice.

In addition to advice on what is possible and feasible, companies can also apply for support for any necessary investments. This is up to 35% of the investment, up to a maximum amount of €300,000. A condition is that the solution must not worsen the load on the power grid during peak moments. A flexible contract with the network operator is therefore a requirement to qualify for the subsidy.

The Flex-e scheme can be applied for from April 1 to October 15, 2025, by companies and institutions with a connection of 100kW or more to the medium or high voltage grid through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). More information about the scheme and the conditions can be found on the RVO website.