The Dutch grid operators TenneT, Enexis, Liander and Stedin released reports this week on the available grid capacity, in response to new requirements from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).
“The results of the congestion studies at the regional grid operators provide virtually no additional grid capacity,” the companies said in a statement. “No additional capacity has been found in Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, North Brabant and Limburg.”
However, the operators identified 880 MW of additional capacity in the Noordoostpolder, Fryslân, Flevopolder, Gelderland, Utrecht and Limburg, if customers in those regions agree to the use of ‘capacity limitation contracts’ (CLCs).
CLCs enable more efficient use of the electricity grid by asking solar projects to reduce electricity injection during peak times, with compensation. Congestion service providers (CSPs) act as intermediaries to optimize network space.
With the current rules, grid operators can make peak reduction agreements. Enexis awarded the first contract of this nature to an operator of a PV installation in November 2023.
The Netherlands urgently needs to address the limitations of the electricity grid, as large amounts of solar energy will be deployed in the coming years.
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