Net congestion curtails Dutch business growth and spurs new government flexibility plan

A Berenschot study finds that 65 % of Dutch organisations already see electricity‑grid congestion as a barrier to operations, rising to 90 % in the energy sector. Companies expanding, decarbonising or adopting electric processes report that existing network capacity is exhausted, forcing them to reconsider expansion plans. The report calls for smarter use of current capacity – such as flexible contracts, time‑of‑use tariffs, battery storage and local energy hubs – alongside targeted grid extensions.

In response, the cabinet’s latest “Kamerbrief” on the National Action Programme Netcongestie (LAN) pledges faster rollout of flexibility measures for small‑scale consumers. It promotes the scaling of smart devices (charging stations, heat pumps, home batteries) and the introduction of time‑dependent grid tariffs, aiming to shift demand to periods with spare capacity. The brief stresses that many households can achieve sustainable energy use without upgrading connections if they adopt smarter operating practices.