ACM sets 2026 tariffs for distribution system operators and TenneT

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has set the 2026 tariffs for the distribution system operators and the Dutch transmission system operator for electricity TenneT (which operates the national high-voltage grid). As already announced in September by ACM, households and businesses with connections to the distribution systems for natural gas and electricity are expected to pay 3.38 percent more in 2026 for the transport of electricity and natural gas. For an average household, this amounts to an increase of approximately 25 euros per year (including VAT).

Large businesses that are directly connected to the (extra) high-voltage grid of TenneT are expected to pay approximately 10 to 12 percent less. This is an incidental decrease, which is caused by, among other factors, increased grid usage as a result of which the allowed revenues are distributed over higher volumes. Since more and more households and businesses are switching from fossil fuels to electricity generated from sustainable sources, system operators need to make large investments in order to upgrade their grids. That is why the grid tariffs will increase over the next few years. Therefore, ACM follows TenneT’s proposal of not including auction revenues or congestion revenues in the 2026 tariffs. The auction revenues and congestion revenues could be used in the coming years to mitigate the increase.

Households and businesses are not able to choose which system operators they purchase their services from. That is why ACM conducts oversight over system operators, and sets the tariffs each year. ACM ensures that system operators have sufficient revenues for maintenance and investments. In that context, ACM ensures that the tariffs of system operators are not higher than necessary. The basic principle here is that grid users pay for the costs that they create. In that way, the total costs are distributed fairly among all users. Not only is that fair, it is also transparent and efficient.