ACM: System operators’ investment plans show improvement, but further sharpening is needed
Summary
- System operators are getting better and better at substantiating what investments are needed, but ACM still sees shortcomings and areas of improvement.
- System operators expect that, in the coming years, over 200 billion euros in investments will be needed. It is possible to reduce this amount by making clearer choices regarding the future energy system.
- When further sharpening its assessment framework for the 2028 investment plans, ACM wishes to take advantage of the insights of stakeholders and experts. That is why ACM launches a public consultation.
System operators are getting better and better at substantiating what investments in the grid and the natural-gas networks they need to make over the next 15 years. This has been revealed in the biannual assessment of the system operators’ investment plans by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). At the same time, ACM does see shortcomings and areas of improvement. System operators expect to invest over 200 billion euros in the grid and the natural-gas networks in the coming years. It is possible to substantially reduce this amount if the Dutch central government, provinces, and municipalities make clearer choices regarding the future energy system.
The Dutch Energy Act (in Dutch: Energiewet) stipulates that ACM assess the system operators’ investment plans every two years. The grids and natural-gas networks need to be greatly expanded and altered over the next few years due to the energy transition and the measures to reduce grid congestion. ACM has determined that these investments are indeed necessary in the coming years. At the same time, ACM does see that system operators are unable to complete all planned works on time. Some of the reasons for that are protracted licensing procedures as well as shortages of staff and materials. The fact that, in practice, fewer investments are realized than planned suggests that the implementation of plans must be accelerated, or (if the former is truly not possible) more-realistic timeframes need to be drawn up. It is important that grid users know what to expect.
A more efficient utilization of existing grids
In addition, ACM establishes that, in their plans, system operators still insufficiently take into account smart solutions for a more efficient utilization of existing grids. Alternative transmission rights, time-based tariffs, batteries, and energy hubs may reduce the necessity for additional investments in the grid. In that context, system operators play an important advisory and facilitating role. By providing a better overview of the benefits of such types of solutions and by actively supporting them, the existing grid can be utilized more efficiently, and costs can be reduced.
Choices regarding the energy system of the future
System operators expect to invest over 200 billion euros in the grids and the natural-gas networks in the coming years. In recent years, much research has been conducted into how these investments can be limited, and, by extension, how the increase in grid tariffs can be kept in check. A 2025 study by Dutch research firm TNO showed that billions of euros can be saved through climate-smart zoning, stimulating flexibility, and the development of heat networks. According to the Dutch trade association of system operators Netbeheer Nederland, up to 30 billion euros can be saved if the Dutch central government, provinces, and municipalities make clear choices regarding the future energy system. Clear choices prevent system operators from preparing for all possible scenarios, and from building infrastructure that, in hindsight, turns out to be unnecessary or is located in the wrong place. Examples include choosing between full electrification of industries, the use of hydrogen, or the decision to allow the construction of data centers and electrolyzers near electricity-generation locations only.
Letter to the Dutch Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth (KGG)
ACM will send a letter to the Dutch Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth (KGG) to draw attention to the results of the investment plans’ assessment. In this letter, ACM will also emphasize that tough political choices are needed to prevent unnecessary costs and overinvestment in the long term. ACM also concludes that system operators are not able to make all the necessary investments in the grid to serve all transmission-capacity applicants. Investments in quality are under pressure, too.
Improvements are visible, but not sufficient everywhere
ACM sees that the investment plans’ quality has improved over the past few years. Dutch system operators GTS, Enexis, Liander, Stedin, and TenneT have drawn up reasonable and transparent investment plans, and are planning for the future in a professional manner. ACM gives these system operators the green light to finalize their 2026 investment plans. ACM deems the quality of the investment plans of smaller Dutch regional system operators Coteq, RENDO, and Westland Infra to be insufficient. In order to guarantee that their 2028 investments plans do meet the required quality standards, ACM imposes a binding course of conduct on these three system operators. As ACM finds it important that necessary grid expansions and alterations are not unnecessarily delayed, these system operators are also allowed to finalize their 2026 investment plans.
Report regarding ACM’s assessment of the 2026 investment plans
For the first time ever, ACM this year will publish the letters it sends to system operators containing its assessment of the 2026 investment plans. By publishing them, ACM explains how it reached its conclusions, so that grid users are able to follow the assessment’s results.
Consultation on ACM’s future assessment of the 2028 investment plans
In addition, ACM launches a consultation on how it assesses investment plans. ACM believes it is important to take advantage of the insights of stakeholders and experts when further sharpening its assessment framework for the 2028 investment plans. Responses to this consultation can be submitted from April 23, 2026. The consultation solely covers the way in which ACM assesses the system operators’ investment plans, not the content of the investment plans themselves.