The Netherlands will take “extraordinary” measures to reduce stress on the national grid caused by electricity demand and supply reaching similar levels, such as proposing incentives for large companies to use less electricity at peak times, outgoing Dutch Energy Minister Rob Jetten (D66/Renew) announced on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, the country’s grid operators warned that the electricity network was almost exhausted in all provinces, mainly due to the growing demand for heat pumps, solar panels and charging stations for electric vehicles – a problem shared by many other European countries.
“Despite substantial investments by grid operators and previous measures, the power grid is reaching its limits in more and more places,” Jetten stated in a letter to parliament.
“Without action, this seriously impacts our sustainable ambitions and economy. That is why we are now taking new measures that go off track to accelerate the expansion of the power grid and create more space,” he added.
From 2023, the country’s grid operators will double their investment in the power grid from the current €4 billion to €8 billion.
The new measures seek to incentivise large electricity consumers to reduce their consumption during “peak hours” between 4 pm and 8 pm to prevent blackouts, as both industrial and household consumption is exceptionally high during that time frame.
Under the new measures, large consumers will pay less for electricity if they reduce consumption during these hours, while excess consumption would conversely lead to higher prices.
Jetten also announced that specific expansions of the country’s electricity grid would be designated as “important societal interest”, which would speed up the approval process by 18 months. A legislative proposal to this effect has been submitted to the Dutch Council of State and will be discussed by the national parliament at a later date.
The new measures are a follow-up to the energy minister’s announcement that the government would play a bigger role in the domestic energy transition back in July.
Back then, Jetten announced facilitation in the licensing process for energy infrastructure and storage facilities and designated certain areas to construct storage facilities and transport routes.
(Benedikt Stöckl | Euractiv.com)
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