Grid congestion – an overloaded electricity grid – is one of the biggest challenges facing the energy transition.
Daily reports of delayed new-build projects and businesses unable to expand underline the urgency of the problem.
Grid congestion not only hinders the Netherlands’ transition to sustainability but also has direct social and economic consequences: businesses are hitting their limits, investments are being held back and sustainable initiatives are being stifled. According to recent research, grid congestion costs society up to 40 billion euros annually due to lost investments, halted production and missed opportunities for sustainability. For businesses, this means not only a loss of turnover, but also a loss of market share and employment opportunities.
Bringing together entrepreneurs, policymakers and experts
The idea behind the National Centre of Expertise on Grid Congestion is to offer businesses and public authorities from across the country a place where existing and new smart solutions to grid congestion, technologies and working methods can be tested, scaled up and made applicable.
Examples include the use of batteries, energy hubs on industrial estates or energy management systems, which enable businesses to grow and become more sustainable despite a congested grid. In this way, the Centre of Expertise actively supports the creation of new connections or the expansion of capacity, ensuring that economic development and the energy transition do not come to a standstill.
Letter of intent
On Wednesday 21 May 2025, Alliander, TenneT, Province of Gelderland, Oost NL, a representative of all VNO-NCW regions, HAN University of Applied Sciences and Connectr - Energy innovation signed a letter of intent for the establishment of the National Grid Congestion Expertise Centre. The aim of this future centre is to jointly accelerate and scale up solutions for grid congestion. The next six months will be used to further develop the centre and arrive at a final cooperation.
National Grid Congestion Solution Award
Part of the event during Arnhem Electricity Week is the presentation of the very first National Grid Congestion Solution Award. The three finalists will present their tried-and-tested and scalable solutions to the audience and the jury.
The finalists are:
- Powercrumbs & Bredenoord - Powerbox
- Kersten Techniek - Smart Beach Net Scheveningen
- QuinteQ Energy - THOR
The winner will receive national recognition and extensive visibility through media channels and partners such as TenneT, Alliander, HAN University of Applied Sciences, VNO-NCW, Oost NL and Connectr – Energy innovation.
This article was previously published on: connectr.nu
