New agreements and actions are being introduced to significantly shorten the waiting list for electricity connections in the coming years. By shifting electricity consumption to quieter times, entrepreneurs can still get a connection. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) provides information about the effects of these agreements and actions.
Why is there a waiting list?
In many places in the Netherlands, there is network congestion. Entrepreneurs who want a new or stronger connection there often have to wait a long time. As a result, they often cannot carry out plans to start, expand, or make their business more sustainable. New homes also cannot get a connection to the electricity grid there.
8 actions against the waiting list
The Ministry of Climate and Energy Transition, network operators, and companies are working on 8 actions to shorten the waiting list for an electricity connection. These make it easier for companies to shift their electricity consumption to quieter times. This ensures that a large portion of the companies on the waiting list get a connection. The development of the waiting list can differ per region.
What are the main actions?
These are the main actions to shorten the waiting list:
- Network operators receive more financial room for agreements with companies about flexible consumption and freeing up space on the electricity grid.
- This year, at least 4 regional tenders will start. In these tenders, entrepreneurs can bid to free up space on the electricity grid. These can be energy producers or factories. But also companies that can adjust their electricity consumption, for example with a battery. Companies that need less money to adjust their electricity consumption have a better chance of being selected.
- There will be a ‘Top 50 approach’. The Ministry of Climate and Energy Transition and network operators make agreements with the 50 largest electricity users who also have the possibility to relieve the electricity grid. This creates more space on the electricity grid.
- The Ministry of Climate and Energy Transition and the network operators critically look at the still available space on the electricity grid (reserve capacity) for special situations. For example, very cold days. They make agreements with companies that can then use less electricity. This prevents overloading of the grid at those times.
With these agreements, we ensure that as many companies and organizations on the waiting list as possible can be connected faster.”
Do you want to know what these actions and agreements mean for you?
Visit our Net Congestion Desk. Here you can read what you can do as an entrepreneur.
- Ministry of Climate and Energy Transition