NMa: TenneT required to demonstrate lack of transport capacity

TenneT, the transmission system operator for the Netherlands, must furnish proof of its lack of sufficient transmission capacity for connecting a wind turbine farm to its network. Thus rules the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) in a dispute between Essent Netwerk, a distribution system operator, and TenneT.

With a view to connecting a wind turbine farm, Essent Network submitted a request to TenneT for permission to feed electricity into the transmission network via the Vierverlaten connector. As set out in the Electricity Act 1998, TenneT is under the obligation to bring forth relevant technical data establishing its inability to meet demand, in case it proves impossible for the network operator to fulfil a request for transmission capacity. In addition, TenneT shall propose measures for removing transmission constraints. These have not been forthcoming. Consequently, TenneT is in breach of the Electricity Act.

Currently, the number of electricity production investment plans is rising sharply. Such plans as well as requests submitted to the transmission and distribution system operators give rise to a scarcity of capacity to transmit electricity on the network. The NMa has called on TenneT and distribution system operators to coordinate information on production development and electricity take-up. This would allow a more efficient exploitation of the existent network. The NMa also underlines that it is up to the system operators involved to solve problems among themselves.