Which parties collaborate to address grid congestion?

Grid operators manage and improve the grid 

Grid operators are responsible for the power grid. They install, maintain and expand the power grid. They also monitor where the grid is likely to become overloaded and try to find solutions.  

There are six regional grid operators in the Netherlands: Liander, Enexis, Stedin, Westland Infra, Coteq and Rendo. In addition, TenneT is the national grid operator for electricity. TenneT manages the high-voltage grid. Gasunie is the national grid operator for gas.   

How can the grid operator help you? 

You can contact the grid operator if you have questions about your contract. Furthermore, you can contact them if you have questions about grid congestion in the area where your business is located or where you want to start a business.  

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency supports businesses and public authorities 

We support business owners and local authorities on behalf of Dutch ministries.  

How can we help? 

We can assist you with: 

• information on grid congestion;
• subsidies and funding for business owners;
• questions on grid congestion.

Local authorities provide regional assistance 

Local authorities, such as provinces and municipalities, play an important role in the region. They: 

• issue licences, for instance for sustainable energy facilities or construction projects;
• draw up spatial plans for housing, work, infrastructure and nature;
• bring together parties that collaborate on regional undertakings, such as the energy transition (the transition to sustainable energy), traffic and transport, and housing construction;
• support local and smart solutions for climate adaptation (adapting to the changing climate), digitalisation and innovation, for instance. 

What can the provincial authorities or municipality do for you? 

As a business owner, you can contact the provincial authorities or municipality to explore solutions for grid congestion, such as local energy hubs. You can also ask for support in applying for licences or capacity for smart energy solutions. 

Business owners find smart solutions 

Business owners need electricity or they generate electricity themselves. Grid congestion can make it more difficult to expand electricity use or generation. That is why business owners work with grid operators and public authorities to seek smart solutions, including flexible electricity consumption or sharing electricity with others.  

What can business owners do for you? 

You can contact business owners if you wish to work together on solutions in your area.

See possible solutions for businesses (in Dutch)

ACM monitors the regulations and grid management

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) establishes regulations for grid operators. This supervisory body also checks whether grid operators plan and implement their investments effectively. This ensures that the power grid is managed in a fair and efficient manner and in the interests of all grid users. This includes you as an business owner or public authority.

What can the ACM do for you?

You can contact the ACM if you have questions regarding the regulations for grid operators or the supervision of their responsibilities.

The Dutch Government makes the laws and regulations

The national government ensures that regulations are clear and that involved parties collaborate. The ministries make laws and policies for the power grid. In addition, they create agreements with grid operators, provincial authorities, municipalities and businesses. This ensures that plans are aligned. The   Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate plays a pivotal role. Other ministries, including the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning, are also involved.  

What can the Dutch government do for you?

You can contact the national government for information on national regulations, policies and coordination between parties.  

The National Grid Congestion Action Programme (LAN) is working on solutions for grid congestion

The national government and other parties collaborate in various programmes to address grid congestion. The National Grid Congestion Action Programme (LAN) is one of them.

The following parties are involved:

• Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth;
• Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning;
• Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management;
• Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM);
• local authorities (such as provinces and municipalities);
• trade and industry associations;
• grid operators, jointly represented by Netbeheer Nederland (NBNL).

These parties are working on solutions as part of the action programme. These solutions include:

• improving the coordination of electricity supply and demand (flexible electricity consumption);
• expanding the power grid;
• introducing new laws and regulations for a flexible energy system;
• providing a better understanding of energy flows and capacity on the grid.

This will make it easier for business owners or public authorities to become more sustainable, to expand or to collaborate on local solutions.