Grid congestion in the Netherlands: causes and solutions

Grid congestion is overloading of the electricity grid when demand or supply exceeds the network’s capacity.

Grid congestion in brief

A major barrier for the energy transition in the Netherlands: connection queues delay new projects and upgrades.
Problems exist almost everywhere especially for large users such as industry and data centres with only a few areas currently queue‑free.
Long waiting times for transport capacity (both consumption and feed‑in), which slows expansion and electrification plans.
Solutions include grid reinforcement and expansion (new lines, upgrades) and congestion management to temporarily balance demand and supply.
Government approach: the National Action Programme Grid Congestion (LAN) coordinates faster building, better utilisation of existing capacity, and improved insight.
Five ways entrepreneurs can respond: reduce and spread consumption; use local storage; smart energy management; collaborate via energy hubs/cable pooling; and follow practical tips for individual and joint action.

There is insufficient capacity to transport generated electricity or deliver it to users; the grid cannot handle supply or demand.

The Netbeheer Nederland capacity map shows widespread issues across regions.
Queues: nearly twelve thousand waiting for consumption connections and over eight thousand for feed‑in at regional operators; see Netbeheer Nederland updates.
For large users, capacity without queues is scarce; in some areas access is possible if flexibility can be offered to the operator.
For small users (households/SMEs), reserved growth space exists but will be insufficient in parts of Flevoland, Gelderland, and Utrecht from 2026.

Strong growth of renewable generation in remote or low‑voltage areas, often far from demand centres; weather‑driven variability causes peak pressure.
Peak‑time demand growth from electrification while total demand barely rises; ageing parts of the grid are not designed for current peaks.

Grid reinforcement and expansion (new high‑voltage lines, upgrades) is the long‑term solution.
Congestion management: operators compensate parties to adjust consumption or feed‑in during peaks; example: Enexis & Eneco peak avoidance contract.
Smart energy steering for businesses: optimise consumption, on‑site generation, and storage across markets; see Eneco smart energy steering.
Peak shaving with storage: use batteries to supply the grid during demand peaks and absorb surplus during supply peaks; example: GIGA Buffalo.
National Action Programme Grid Congestion (LAN): see the LAN portal for pillars and details on ‘build faster’, ‘better utilisation’, and ‘smarter insight’.

Accelerated grid expansion: operators invest up to €8 billion per year from 2025; government facilitates land and faster permitting.
Temporary measures: extra installations (batteries), temporary overrating studies, emergency generators in rare cases.
Regulatory measures: ACM’s package of measures against grid congestion (publication).

Reduce and spread consumption: invest in efficient equipment and shift usage outside 16:00–21:00.
Use local storage: install batteries to absorb peaks and deliver during high demand.
Apply smart energy management systems: measure, automate, and align with grid conditions.
Collaborate via energy hubs and cable pooling: share connections with neighbours to gain grid access and lower costs.
More tips: practical guidance for individual action and collaboration.