NMa: earthing costs Amsterdam lampposts to be paid for by municipality

The regional grid operator Continuon is not under the obligation to provide earthed connections for street lampposts in the municipality of Amsterdam, states the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) in a dispute between the local council and its grid operator.

Under the Electricity Act 1998 the grid operator is responsible for the safety of the grid, while the purchasing party is responsible for the safety of the street lampposts. The dispute was prompted by an accident involving the electrocution of a dog as the area directly surrounding the lamppost became electrically charged. Since September 2005 Continuon provides earthing for lampposts on new networks, but this would require adjustments to the existing older networks. The specific network design in the Amsterdam municipality and part of the public lightning system dates back to the 1930s. Continuon cannot vouchsafe the safety of these street lampposts.