Dutch municipalities urge early project registration to combat grid congestion

Municipalities in the Netherlands, including Goeree-Overflakkee and Noordenveld, are calling on developers to register upcoming construction projects early to mitigate risks associated with electricity grid congestion.

In Goeree-Overflakkee, the local government is implementing an ‘early application’ scheme. Developers planning to build homes or schools before 2036 are encouraged to request network connection and transport capacity by September 6, 2026. This allows the municipality to request priority from the grid operator, Stedin, for projects on a specialized list, reducing the risk that future developments will lack necessary power connections.

Similarly, the municipality of Noordenveld is requesting that initiators of housing projects—including new builds, collective housing, and building transformations—report their plans by August 30, 2026. The goal is to gain early visibility into the required capacity for projects expected to begin within the next ten years. While registration does not guarantee available capacity on the grid, it ensures projects are identified by grid operators sooner.