The approach to the full power grid is an important priority for the cabinet. The government is working together with grid operators, ACM, and market parties on over 100 measures to create more space on the grid as quickly as possible. Today, the annual progress report is published. It also shows that, despite all efforts, the waiting list of companies wanting a new or heavier connection is still growing. Therefore, Minister Hermans of Climate and Green Growth is working on solutions to accelerate the approach to the full power grid. These measures will be completed by the end of April.

New Figures

The high-voltage grid is being strengthened at around 250 locations, with 70 projects currently in the construction phase. These are huge construction projects for the highway of the power grid. On the medium-voltage grid, the provincial road, grid operators have built nearly 50 new stations over the past 2 years. This is a doubling from the previous 2 years. On the local grid in residential areas, more than 2,400 transformer houses have been added, compared to about 1,500 the year before. Despite all expansions, the demand for space grew faster than the grid operators could expand the power grid, and the waiting list of companies and institutions wanting a (heavier) connection has doubled.

Faster Construction

The expansion of the power grid is a huge task. By 2050, around 50,000 transformer houses still need to be built and more than 100,000 kilometers of electricity cables need to be laid. The cabinet wants to accelerate the expansion of the power grid.

• Minister Hermans has sent a legislative amendment to the Council of State to shorten the procedures for the expansion of the grid. With a tolerance obligation, procedures can be accelerated by up to 1.5 years. In addition, the cabinet wants to designate the expansion of the grid as overriding social interest, which could also save up to 1.5 years.
• The cabinet is exploring the possibility of introducing umbrella permits that allow multiple permits to be issued simultaneously to grid operators. A flying brigade of experts will help provinces and municipalities to issue permits more quickly.
• A fixed approach and land price are being worked on so that grid operators can purchase land more quickly to build the necessary energy infrastructure. A model agreement can accelerate the placement of transformer houses.

Better Utilization of the Power Grid

The power grid is not full 24 hours a day in most places. By better spreading electricity consumption, the space on the power grid can be better utilized, and new parties can be connected more quickly.

• Companies can enter into a new type of contract with the grid operator where they use less or no power during peak moments. Companies receive discounts on grid tariffs or do not have to wait for a connection. Since this year, all large consumers on the high-voltage grid are financially incentivized to shift their electricity consumption outside peak times.
• From April 1, companies and institutions (large consumers) that are stuck due to the full power grid can apply for subsidies to hire advice and/or make investments for a flexible contract. This way, they can continue with their growth or sustainability plans.
• The grid operators are working on a proposal that would also make it profitable for small consumers such as households, schools, and shops to shift electricity consumption outside peak moments whenever possible. For example, by charging an electric car later in the evening. Implementation is expected to take several more years.
• The ministry is investigating, together with the ACM and the grid operators, the possibilities of allowing the power grid to be burdened more heavily at more locations so that companies and institutions on the waiting list can be connected more quickly. The research also explicitly examines the risks.