Dutch grid operator to investigate claims of forced labor at Chinese partner

TenneT, the Dutch national power grid operator, is going to conduct an investigation into accusations of forced labor at a Chinese partner. The government company responded to an article published by the Telegraaf, which stated that the Chinese cable manufacturing company TBEA is accused by Congress in the United States of America of using forced labor of the Uyghur minorities in China.

A spokesperson for TenneT said that the grid operator has been working with the company for years. They added that they had never received any signals from the company that there was any sign of malpractice at TBEA. “I spoke to several purchasing employees, and this came as a surprise to them.”

The spokesperson emphasized that human rights are very important to TenneT. If there are signs of abuse, she believes that would be a reason to enter into further discussions with the supplier. TenneT can then also "exert influence" and draw up a "corrective action plan.”

According to TenneT, excluding a company from tenders can not be done easily. Strict conditions are attached to this, the spokesperson explained.

TenneT visited TBEA in March of this year and did extra checkups on the supplier of the cables. Additional information was also requested about the company's personnel matters. The spokesperson said that nothing out of the ordinary came forth from this. She also added that the board at TBEA signed a code of conduct which included a statement about human rights.

TBEA is one of eight companies to who TenneT awarded a mega contract in 2023 for the supply of cables. TenneT will be installing approximately 4,000 kilometers of high-voltage connections in the Netherlands in the coming years.

This is in addition to the projects that the company has in Germany where many cables will also be needed. TenneT estimated last year that the total contract value was 1.5 billion euros, half of which is intended for investments in the Netherlands and the other half for Germany.