Grid operators are busy with the largest renovation of our energy system. In the meantime, the store remains open and the most ambitious investment plans ever are presented. Until 2026, annual investments will amount to more than 8 billion euros per year in the Dutch gas and electricity networks. To complete the enormous task of the energy transition, grid operators are proposing radically different working methods that will enable a significant acceleration of the expansion of the energy grids.
Consumers are increasingly driving, heating and cooking electrically, and large industrial customers are also electrifying their fossil processes on a large scale. In addition, the Netherlands will build almost 1 million homes by 2030. That is good news for the energy transition and society. The increased demand for transport capacity also means that major network expansions are needed to serve all customers. Investments in the national gas transport network also remain necessary to guarantee safe, reliable and efficient gas transport.
A robust package of measures was presented on October 18, because the demand for energy is increasing faster than grid operators can build. The lack of capacity on the energy network and the major spatial challenge mean that we have to make integrated considerations and choices across all tasks, sectors and chains: what we can and what we cannot achieve in the short and long term.
To determine where and when energy infrastructure is constructed, expanded and maintained, grid operators publish their investment plans every two years. These investment plans state what investments the grid operators will make in the energy grids in the years 2024, '25 and '26. An estimate is also made of the investments required over the next ten years.
Together with stakeholders
Network operators make these investment plans in consultation with stakeholders, such as the national government, provinces, municipalities and market parties. This edition also includes the provincial energy plans (pMIEK) - the most important social projects necessary for the development of the provincial energy system - for the first time. The investment plans are now available for consultation and will be submitted to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) on January 1.
Priorities must be set
“There are very ambitious plans,” says Hans-Peter Oskam, director of policy and energy transition, Netbeheer Nederland. “But the demand for transport capacity is growing faster than the pace at which grid operators can expand the electricity grid. Even with the announced record investments, we will not be able to build all the energy infrastructure that is needed in 2024, 25 and 26. We estimate that we can meet approximately three quarters of the current requests. This means that priorities must be set. We ask the question every day: what do we do now and what later? That is why we are making a proposal today on how we can accelerate the implementation of our work.”
National Implementation Agenda for Regional Infrastructure
Network operators are rapidly scaling up and are building as much infrastructure as possible. But that is not enough. Implementation must be faster. This is only possible by working together - network operators, contractors, clients and (co)governments - in a more systematic manner with a focus on building the energy system. This makes the execution more logical and faster.
On Wednesday, November 1, network operators will therefore also publish a proposal for a National Implementation Agenda for Regional Infrastructure, in which the regional network operators will provide an initiative on how this acceleration will be achieved. Network operators want to discuss this Implementation Agenda with stakeholders, to see together how the acceleration can be achieved. Netbeheer Nederland sees this National Implementation Agenda for Regional Infrastructure as the start of a national dialogue about implementation.
The dialogue creates perspective for all energy users, from industry to consumers, because it becomes clear which infrastructure can be realized in the short term. For example, regional grid operators want to work as efficiently as possible with 'production caravans' that make the grid future-proof district by district and through so-called 'permit factories' that ensure that land is available more quickly for the necessary infrastructure.
In addition to the increasing speed of implementation, the implementation agenda ensures transparency and predictability of the work to be carried out. By using the agenda, all those involved know earlier where work is being done on the energy infrastructure and when.
