NMa gives Dutch regional network operator Stedin a binding instruction for having an incomplete fixed-assets register

According to an investigation carried out by the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa), Dutch regional network operator Stedin B.V. does not have an up-to-date and complete fixed-assets register, a register containing all details and data on electricity cables and gas pipes. The NMa has therefore given Stedin a binding instruction ordering it to draw up a detailed plan within three months explaining how it intends to record all important data of these cables and pipes into the fixed assets register. In addition, Stedin is expected to have successfully executed its plan within 18 months after it has been drawn up. The NMa will check whether Stedin will be complying with the instruction.

The NMa found out that crucial information was missing from the fixed assets register, which normally contains information on electricity cables and gas pipes. Information that was missing, included information regarding the age and/or the exact material composition of the electricity and natural gas networks maintained by Stedin. This is vital information for performing maintenance on these networks as well as for replacing pipes and cables at the right time. The fixed assets register is the cornerstone of the so-called quality control system (KBS), which is used to pre-detect potential threats to the network's quality. This is vital because it enables Stedin to prevent failures and outages from happening, events that potentially cause serious harm to the economy and to society as a whole.


The Netherlands has one of the best networks in Europe at the moment. In order for the Dutch network to remain one of the best, excellent management and maintenance of these networks on a permanent basis are needed. That is one of the reasons the NMa reviewed the so-called quality and capacity documents (KCDs) of the network operators in 2008/2009 for a second time. Using these KCDs, network operators need to demonstrate that they have sufficient capacity to transport electricity and natural gas from their sources (the supplier) to a business or a household. Furthermore, network operators need to have these procedures up to par in order to guarantee the quality of their networks.


The NMa imposed orders subject to periodic penalty payments on various network operators in recent months – orders were imposed on NRE in September 2009, on Obragas en Netbeheer Haarlemmermeer in October 2009, and on Westland and Delta in November 2009. They were imposed fines for having failed to have all of the legally required procedures in order to be able to guarantee their natural-gas and electricity networks' quality and capacity.