Living/housing

Fires are breaking out in Dutch meter cupboards more often, and experts point to one cause: heat pumps, EV chargers and solar panels pulling far more power than older fuse boxes were ever built to handle.

Despite investing heavily in expanding the electricity grid, Enexis reports that waiting lists for new connections continue to rise. Recent regulatory changes mean households, small businesses, and charging stations are no longer guaranteed capacity, leading to a surge in applications and growing uncertainty across the regions Enexis serves.

The Netherlands saw exceptionally little rainfall in July 2026, averaging just 12 millimeters nationwide, making it the second driest July since weather measurements began in 1906. Sunshine hours were unusually high, temperatures consistently warm, and only a few regions saw anything close to normal precipitation.

Eindhoven has launched a new digital portal allowing housing project developers to apply for priority access to the electricity grid. With national regulations now enabling earlier submissions, the municipality will establish a formal ranking list to determine which housing and education projects receive precedence when scarce grid capacity becomes available.

Mortgage rates in the Netherlands have risen after geopolitical tensions pushed up energy prices and inflation expectations. De Hypotheekshop says the increase is already prompting more homebuyers to submit mortgage applications before rates climb further.

Gas transport to power plants increased by 12% in the first half of the year as producers relied more on natural gas to balance variable solar and wind generation. Gasunie says recent geopolitical developments underline the importance of a reliable energy system and is expanding Dutch LNG import capacity to strengthen energy security.

Variable gas prices in the Netherlands rose by 7 percent this month, pushing rates 12 percent above pre‑war levels. Fixed contracts, however, became cheaper, while dynamic contracts continue to gain popularity.

Dutch households threw away slightly less waste in 2025, mainly due to a drop in organic waste. Dry weather reduced garden growth, leading to fewer clippings and prunings. Residual waste levels stayed nearly the same, and waste separation rates have remained stable at around 60 percent.