As the electricity grid becomes increasingly full, one in three streets will need to be opened in the coming years to strengthen the grid. To carry out this large operation quickly and smartly, the National Action Program on Grid Congestion (LAN) is providing a guideline. This helps municipalities and grid operators to start the Neighborhood Approach: a new way of collaborating to expand and strengthen the electricity grid.

Process Agreements, Collaboration, and Role Distribution

In various places in the Netherlands, municipalities and grid operators have already started the Neighborhood Approach to expand or strengthen the electricity grid. For municipalities and grid operators that are still at the beginning, the guideline provides practical tools. This leads to a new way of working, with a joint work structure and clear responsibilities and role distribution. This national approach is the same for all grid operators.

Implementation of the Neighborhood Approach May Vary

Additionally, regional grid operators may have their own guidelines and resources for implementing the Neighborhood Approach to collaborate effectively with municipalities. The national and regional approaches complement each other.

Joint Approach of Grid Operators and Municipalities

The national and regional approaches complement each other.
 

“It is a significant milestone that this national approach is now in place. This helps, for example, area managers and environmental managers of grid operators to engage in discussions with civil servants and municipal officials and other stakeholders in the early stages.”

Rachel Marty
Chair of the Working Group Built Environment, on behalf of the grid operators

Municipalities also endorse the importance of this joint approach.

“The Neighborhood Approach is a fairly complex process and will have a significant impact within municipalities in the coming decades. This guideline can contribute to mutual understanding of the necessity and importance of collaboration, so that municipalities and grid operators can find each other early and make well-coordinated choices.”

Manouk Staal
Policy Advisor Energy Transition of VNG

Getting Started with the Guideline

The Preparation Neighborhood Approach guideline provides municipalities and grid operators with practical tools to collaborate in expanding and strengthening the electricity grid.

Do you want to get started with this? Download the guideline.
 

National Action Program on Grid Congestion

The LAN is a collaboration program of grid operators, governments, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the Authority for Consumers & Markets, and market parties. Together, they work on reducing grid congestion and preparing for the energy system of the future.

On behalf of:
  • Ministry of Climate and Green Growth