The land station of TenneT is seen at de Maasvlakte while the Dutch are constructing major new energy infrastructure including wind farms in the North Sea and LNG and electrical substations, in Rotterdam, Netherlands April 19, 2023.
The initiative follows TenneT’s December statement, which noted that the high-voltage grid in Zuid-Holland, a key province in the Netherlands, had reached its limit. Until then, it was the last region with available capacity for major electricity consumers. As the leading operator of high-tension grids in Germany and the Netherlands, TenneT has been exploring solutions to ease congestion and upgrade infrastructure to support the growing reliance on solar and wind energy as alternatives to fossil fuels.
TenneT’s analysis revealed that 9.1 gigawatts of capacity are available during off-peak periods, accounting for over 40% of the Netherlands’ current peak electricity demand. The company received applications for these flexible contracts totaling more than 70 gigawatts, primarily from large-scale battery projects, far exceeding the available capacity. To encourage efficient use, TenneT expects users of these contracts to save up to 65% on grid tariffs by adapting to time-based pricing and optimizing consumption patterns.
Last month, TenneT outlined plans to invest approximately 200 billion euros ($220 billion) by 2034 to enhance its grids in both the Netherlands and Germany. This significant funding reflects the company’s commitment to meeting rising energy demands sustainably. The new flexible contracts are part of a broader strategy to maximize existing grid resources while expansion efforts continue.
Starting April 8, TenneT will reach out to interested parties to discuss capacity allocations, with negotiations set to unfold over the coming weeks. Maarten Abbenhuis, group Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the dual approach: “We are working on expanding the electricity grid throughout the Netherlands. In addition, we need to use the grid more intelligently and make better use of the remaining space outside the ‘peak’.” This reflects TenneT’s focus on both infrastructure growth and smarter energy management.
This development offers a practical solution for high-energy users, supporting the Netherlands’ shift toward renewable energy sources while addressing immediate grid constraints.
