Dutch households and businesses will pay more for electricity and gas connections next year as grid operators invest heavily to expand and reinforce the congested power network. According to Netbeheer Nederland, the grid component of energy bills will increase by around 20% on average.
For households, the trade association estimates this will add about €12 per month to energy costs. Large users connected to high-voltage grid operator TenneT will also face about a 20% rise in grid tariffs.
Netbeheer Nederland described the increases as substantial for households, businesses and social organisations. However, the association said higher revenues are needed to cover the sharply rising costs of installing new cables, substations and connections. These investments are required to support housing construction and help businesses become more sustainable. The exact increase may vary between grid operators.
The Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) said grid charges account for around 30% of the energy bill of an average household. Based on an initial forecast for next year, the regulator estimates that households will pay about €89 more per year for an electricity connection and a further €52 more for a gas connection.
Overloaded power grid
The Dutch power grid is under pressure in many parts of the country. As a result, a growing number of homes, businesses and schools face long waits for a new or upgraded connection. The ACM estimates that the problem costs society between €10 billion and €40 billion a year. Companies cannot establish themselves or expand, while housing projects face delays.
Deltalinqs, which represents companies in the Port of Rotterdam, said the current system, under which users help fund grid investments, has become unsustainable.
“Network tariffs for companies in the port have already increased more than tenfold over the past few years and continue to rise,” the organisation said. “This has created an enormous gap compared with our neighbouring countries.”
Climate Minister Stientje van Veldhoven said through a spokesperson that she fully understands households’ concerns about higher grid charges.
“But we must gradually phase out fossil energy and increase the share of sustainable energy, preferably produced domestically,” she said. “The Cabinet also wants to ensure that the transition remains affordable.”
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
