New homes in Nieuwehorne get green light after grid capacity breakthrough
Residents of Nieuwehorne can finally move forward with the De Fjilden housing project after grid operator Liander resolved capacity issues. This means 40 new homes, including affordable options for first-time buyers, will soon be built, easing local housing shortages.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | De Fjilden (Phase 2) |
| Location | Nieuwehorne, Heerenveen municipality, Fryslân |
| Homes Planned | ~40 (social rental, owner-occupied, and collectively commissioned homes) |
| Grid Operator | Liander |
| Connection Timeline | Autumn 2027 |
| Preparatory Work Start | Spring 2025 |
| Key Stakeholders | Municipality of Heerenveen, Accolade, Zwanenburg Project Development |
The municipality of Heerenveen is responsible for local housing development and urban planning, ensuring liveable communities for its residents. Liander, as the grid operator, manages electricity infrastructure and must balance capacity demands with safety and reliability standards.
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Green light finally for De Fjilden housing project in Nieuwehorne
The municipality of Heerenveen is pleased with the news that grid operator Liander can now connect the De Fjilden housing project in Nieuwehorne after all. Last year, Liander reported that it was not possible to connect the homes within the existing framework. Based on ongoing monitoring of the grid and new insights, the load on the grid in Nieuwehorne can now increase further than was previously possible.
Deputy Rolie Tromp:
“The fact that construction in Nieuwehorne can now get underway quickly is fantastic news for the village. Especially since residents themselves took the initiative to jointly develop and build their homes. This involvement fits perfectly with our growth ambition: working together to create liveable villages where people can continue to live. It will be particularly beneficial for first-time buyers. And with these homes, we will also kickstart the much-needed housing mobility.”
New opportunities through new insights
Liander has recently relaxed a voltage limit on the grid, as analysis shows that this can be done safely and reliably. Relaxing this limit allows the electricity grid to handle a heavier load. This specific limit was previously the stumbling block for De Fjilden. Thanks to the adjustment, the project can now be safely and responsibly connected.
Josine Zijlstra, Liander’s relationship manager:
“It was disappointing when we discovered last year that the project did not fit. But in the meantime, Liander has not been idle. Within the legal framework, we are constantly looking for what is possible. Where policy can be responsibly relaxed, we do so, so that we can help as many customers as possible. Always with one condition in mind: the safety and reliability of the electricity grid must remain guaranteed. We are pleased that this has now turned out positively for Nieuwehorne.”
Connection of new-build homes no longer a given
“A connection for new-build projects is no longer a given, even though we want to continue building for our current and future residents.”
Deputy Tromp stresses that the municipality is taking an active role in this:
“We remain in close consultation with Liander to find solutions and prevent delays. We are not waiting for the grid to be expanded; we are doing everything we can to push forward with our housing ambitions.”
De Fjilden Phase 2
The new residential district is the second phase of De Fjilden in Nieuwehorne. The zoning plan is already in place. The municipality is developing the plan together with local home seekers who have joined forces in a Collective Private Commissioning (CPO) group. In addition, housing corporation Accolade is building new social rental homes, and Zwanenburg Project Development is realising a small number of owner-occupied homes.
Planning
Once there are enough interested buyers, the application for the building permit can be submitted. Preparatory work is expected to start in the spring of next year. Construction of the homes and the connection to the electricity grid are scheduled for the autumn of 2027.