Power grid expansion plans delayed by years in large parts of Netherlands

The expansion of the high-voltage power grid in the provinces of Gelderland, Utrecht, and the Flevopolder has been delayed by at least four, but maybe six years, grid manager TenneT announced. This means that large energy consumers like shops, businesses, and schools will have to wait longer for a new or stronger connection.

TenneT planned the expansion for 2029. Now, the grid operator expects it to happen in 2033 at the earliest and 2035 if there are more setbacks. The main problem is the placement of a high-voltage substation in Utrecht-Noord. TenneT is struggling to find a proper location for this substation, which is required for dividing the high-voltage grid in Utrecht, Gelderland, and Flevoland from one into four parts in order to expand the grid.

TenneT is encountering various problems in finding a location for this substation, partly because Utrecht is a densely populated province. Several residents have also started objection procedures against having a high-voltage substation in their neighborhoods.

The high-voltage grid in the region has been full for years. The fact that its expansion will now take even longer is “an extremely disappointing message, not only for entrepreneurs and organizations that have to wait longer, but for the entire region,” said Robert Kuik of TenneT. “The pressure on the electricity grid in this area is already unprecedentedly high. That is something that worries us greatly.”

The delay will impact large consumers the most. They will have to wait longer for a new or upgraded connection to the grid. Locals will also feel the consequences indirectly, for example, by having to wait longer for a new supermarket or school to open. Solar panel owners will also have to wait longer for a connection to the grid.

TenneT and the regional grid operators are investigating exactly what the consequences of the delay will be and expect to give more information about this in the autumn.