Power outages increasing in Netherlands; More expected with rapid power grid expansion

The Netherlands had 27,341 power outages in 2024, almost 17 percent more than the five-year average, De Telegraaf reports based on figures from Netbeheer Nederland. Grid operators expect that number to continue to rise during the rapid expansion of the power grid.

Last year, power outages affected 2.4 percent of all customers. Unexpected outages, often caused by cables getting damaged during digging work, lasted an average of around 70 minutes last year. Planned outages, when the power is turned off to work on the grid, lasted an average of 3 hours and 47 minutes.

The planned power outages will increase in the coming years, grid operators expect. The Dutch power grid needs a major upgrade to cope with the increasing demand for electricity as the Netherlands moves away from natural gas and fossil fuels. Civil servants recently calculated that this expansion will cost 195 billion euros in the coming years.

Grid operator TenneT, which is responsible for the main grid, compared the upgrade operation to the construction of the enormous Delta Works after the 1953 flood disaster. At least a third of Dutch streets will have to be opened to install newer, thicker power cables.

Despite the increase in power outages last year, the grid operators are satisfied. According to them, the Dutch power grid is still 99.99 percent reliable, making it one of the most reliable grids in Europe.