Business

Enexis invested a record-breaking €1.9 billion in the electricity grid throughout 2025, laying over 1,600 kilometres of cabling and constructing hundreds of substations across the northern and southern Netherlands. However, the operator warns that demand is still outstripping the pace of expansion, leaving the network at full capacity in many areas and resulting in a business waiting list of over 10,000 applications. Chief Executive Rutger van der Leeuw has cautioned that households may also face delays in the future, as the immense cost of these upgrades—exceeding daily tariff income by over €2 million—continues to place significant strain on the company’s finances.

About two thousand ASML employees held a walkout to protest against planned layoffs and a lack of transparency from management. Union leaders and international staff expressed deep concerns over increased workloads and the specific residency challenges facing the expat community. The scale of the protest is intended to pressure the company into reconsidering its current reorganisation strategy.

The police briefly stated that passwords may have been stolen in the Odido hack, despite Odido confirming that login details were not compromised. The claim was removed after the company contacted the police. The police have not yet responded publicly about the correction.

European email services are gaining popularity as secure alternatives to traditional providers like Gmail. These companies, based in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland, offer encrypted communication and strict data protection. Users can choose from various plans that prioritise either personal privacy or professional productivity.

The Veldhoven chip-machine giant ASML is planning to expand its expertise into the field of advanced packaging to support the AI revolution. By developing tools that connect specialised chips, the company aims to secure its position in the semiconductor industry for the next fifteen years.

Industrial activity in the Netherlands picked up slightly in February, with production and business confidence both improving. New orders from abroad fell, but economists expect this decline to be temporary. Rising energy prices and growing defence investments are shaping the outlook for the sector.

The bank Bunq has been ordered to pay more than €314,000 after a mistake allowed a bankrupt customer to access his funds. The customer managed to withdraw or transfer the money before the trustee could intervene. A judge ruled that the bank was responsible for the error and rejected its attempts to blame the trustee.

More than 9.6 million people have been invited to file their 2025 income tax return, with the deadline set for 1 May. The Tax and Customs Administration expects heavy traffic on the first day, as happened last year. Support is available online and in person for those who need help completing their return.