Big power consumers in Noord-Brabant could get grid connection for 1st time since 2022
TenneT, the national electricity transmission operator, announced that it will free up 805 megawatts (MW) of capacity on the high-voltage grid in Noord-Brabant over the next two years, RTL reports. The increase is more than five times the capacity of Den Bosch and roughly one-third of the province’s current electricity demand. Large consumers in the province have been on waiting lists for new or expanded connections since 2022.
“The demand for electricity in Brabant is growing more slowly than previously expected. In addition, we are investing like crazy, and that ultimately delivers capacity,” said Robert Kuik, director of network planning at TenneT.
The grid in Noord-Brabant reached full capacity in 2022, leaving large electricity users who want new or expanded connections with waiting lists managed by TenneT and regional grid operator Enexis. “If you look at the combined waiting list for TenneT and Enexis, it amounts to roughly 3,500 applicants,” Kuik said.
The calculation of network load takes into account factors beyond the operators’ control, including households installing electric vehicles and heat pumps, and businesses anticipating higher electricity use within their existing contracts.
Recent data show electricity demand in Noord-Brabant is increasing more slowly than expected. Kuik noted that the planned end of the solar panel net metering scheme in 2027 will directly affect households planning to install solar panels and will influence demand from electric vehicles.
Because of this slower growth, TenneT can immediately release approximately 200 MW of capacity in parts of West-Brabant to customers on the waiting list, with 80 MW allocated to Enexis.
Enexis is now able to offer some businesses on the waiting list transport capacity, the maximum electricity flow allowed per hour through a connection. The regional operator is currently calculating which companies will benefit.
Further capacity increases are expected from TenneT’s ongoing investments. Two new transformers at the Geertruidenberg high-voltage station will come online over the next two years, and a new high-voltage station in Tilburg is scheduled for 2027, which together will free up more than 600 MW.
