Netherlands implements 'Earlier Application' rule for grid capacity

Dutch municipalities Roosendaal and Eemsdelta are implementing the national ‘Eerder Aanvragen’ (Earlier Application) regulation to combat electricity grid congestion. This initiative allows developers of housing and educational projects to request grid transport capacity much earlier than previously possible.

Due to limited capacity on the electricity grid, new developments often face delays. Under this scheme, projects intended for realization within the next ten years can secure an earlier position on the waiting list for power connections. In Roosendaal, project developers, private initiators, and school boards are urged to register their projects by September 4, 2026. In Eemsdelta, the registration period runs from August 25 until September 9, 2026.

In Eemsdelta, an independent committee will assess applications based on established policy rules to determine the order of submission to the grid operator, Enexis. This process aims to mitigate the impact of grid congestion on the planning and execution of essential infrastructure and housing.