ACM: system operators must give more priority to measures that allow the grid to be utilized more efficiently
Summary
- System operators are lagging behind with the implementation of new measures against grid congestion.
- As a result, large-scale users are still not sufficiently able to take advantage of new opportunities, and the waiting list for access to the grid keeps on growing.
- System operators must submit improvement plans to ACM. ACM will monitor whether system operators comply with the improvement plans.
In the past few years, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) published a broad set of measures for tackling the problem of grid congestion. With these measures, businesses are incentivized to use the grid more efficiently so that more businesses and households can be connected to the grid. ACM sees that system operators are lagging behind with implementing and offering these new measures against grid congestion. As a result, the waiting list for access to the grid keeps on growing. In addition, ACM sees that multiple system operators lack detailed insight in the grid load and utilization of the grids, which is necessary for offering these new, flexible contract types effectively. In order to ensure that system operators clear the backlog, ACM imposes an improvement order on system operators.
ACM realizes that system operators are facing major challenges due to the energy transition, and that they are working hard to expand the existing grids. At the same time, system operators must ensure that the new measures are implemented so that the existing grids will be utilized more efficiently. ACM takes this into account when setting the deadlines that are included in the improvement order.
Improvement plans, and monitoring by ACM
In order to ensure that system operators make clear decisions and carry out the different activities in a more coherent manner, each system operator must submit its own improvement plan to ACM before 6 February 2026. In these improvement plans, system operators put down in writing how and when the measures against grid congestion are implemented, and what measures are taken for providing a detailed overview on grid utilization. In that context, ACM will make management-level arrangements with each system operator, and will monitor the status thereof as well as regularly communicate publicly about this. ACM expects individual system operators to do so as well. ACM finds it important that users are informed in an easy-to-understand manner about the options they have for still gaining access to the grid, despite the grid congestion.