Grid measures help 224 organisations in Flevopolder-Gelderland-Utrecht

The Dutch government says measures to ease pressure on the electricity grid have allowed 224 organisations on the waiting list in the Flevopolder-Gelderland-Utrecht region to be helped since June. But new or upgraded connections are still unavailable around Utrecht, where the remaining shortage is less severe but not resolved.

In a letter to parliament, State Secretary De Bat said planned housing projects due to start construction within three years could go ahead across all three regions, thanks to the measures. The government and grid operators will review available capacity every six months.

In part of Gelderland, around Doetinchem, almost all applications classed as having societal priority were accommodated over the summer. There is currently no new capacity for other applications there. Capacity released across the wider region will be allocated gradually, starting with priority projects such as schools and hospitals.

The measures include agreements with businesses to reduce electricity use at peak times, temporary batteries and generators, and faster grid expansion. The government said network operators expect the grid around Utrecht and in southern Flevoland could be overloaded on the coldest days this winter. They plan to deploy mobile batteries and generators running on renewable diesel temporarily to support local supply.

Since 1 July, applications for new or upgraded connections with societal priority — including those for fire stations, hospitals, schools and housing — have been prioritised nationwide. The government says there are waiting lists for new or upgraded connections across almost all of the Netherlands, despite billions of euros in grid investment. For households and businesses around Utrecht, the wait for a new or larger connection continues.